Re: spots and dots and UVBL solarplates

[SusanV <susanvoss3@gmail.com>]

Chris... another interesting point regarding the use of a point source
light, is that once you use a sprayed piece of mylar, or frosted glass
or whatever, you have just changed over to a diffused light source.
Right?  In fact, Jon, you say that point light source is important,
but doesn't using the kreene plastic negate that?  It's quite milky in
it's translucence, so acts as a diffuser.  Even though I have the
Nuarc and am happy with it, I'm just not so sure Chris, that you
really need to stress over getting that Amerigraph.  My decision to
get the Nuarc was based on the fact that I happen to have found one
locally for $311, which was about what building a big UVB unit would
have cost.

Spring break here means that I have family all wanting to go out and
play and do stuff.... LOL... all I want to do is go down to the studio
and work.  So much for my "family values".  Bad Mommy, bad mommy.  I
did make Easter eggs with my son this morning though... and they're
spectacular, all painted with acrylic paints, BUT the whole time I
kept thinking about coating them with emulsion and printing on them,
or making a pinhole camera with one, or doing an emulsion lift onto
them.... the voices in my head just won't stop.  TELL THEM TO
STOP!!!!!

i'm ok.  really :o)
Susan

On 4/6/07, Christina Z. Anderson <zphoto@montana.net> wrote:
> Good morning all,
> I've been thinking about this dotty discussion...it's interesting that I
> have never noticed a spot discussion on the list until after MONTHS of
> discussing it re: solarplate, and then FINALLY it comes out that other
> processes have this issue.  Several of you, e.g. Sandy King, have it.  I
> wish that it was mentioned way back when, Sandy and others, that you had
> this issue with other processes, too, because that would have helped narrow
> down the culprit much more quickly (and saved me big bucks).
>
> I have never seen this with gum so assumed it was a characteristic of
> photopolymer only until others came forward.  I also assumed that it was a
> factor of UVBL in combination with photopolymer and then come to find out
> the spotty issue continues to plague those with expensive point source
> lights. So, if the spots are truly just Newton Rings and a factor of the top
> side of the transparency in contact with the glass also, that seems much
> more manageable in the long run--see what the list can do if we take the
> time to share? Maybe we should spray the top side of Pictorico with Krylon?
>
> One last thing about spots--if these plates are used for computer chips (am
> I not mistaken?) then the computer industry has GOT to have solved this
> problem...
>
> But my real question is this:  why has UVBL been considered a bad source for
> photopolymer, that point source is better if, in fact, the spot issue still
> is a factor with point source?  I cannot see anything wanting in my UVBL
> images, except the spot issue.  I can see that when the aquatint exposure is
> too great, the image becomes mushy (Susan, like your step wedge image at the
> bottom of your blog), but if the aquatint screen and the positive are in a
> 2:1 to let's say 1:1 the images are sharp and tonal.  Until I get that ol'
> Amergraph I won't be able to do a side by side to see the dif, but what is
> it I might expect when switching to point source that will "wow" me?
> Chris
--
susan
gravure blog at www.susanvossgravures.blogspot.com
website www.dalyvoss.com