U of S | Mailing List Archive | alt-photo-process-l | Re: chalky prints

Re: chalky prints

Paul,
I will offer what I see and maybe this is your issue--when you use too much solution, it will pool up and go sort of grey on you.  Make sure to use a thin even layer, do not double coat, and keep the paper evenly humid and you will be fine.  You can notice this especially in the borders of the print where solution at the edges of the borders is thicker due to the brushing, and you'll have a sort of grey edge effect. 
Chris
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Christina Z. Anderson
http://christinaZanderson.com/
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----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, October 25, 2008 1:18 AM
Subject: chalky prints

Hi all...
 
I continue to work on argyrotypes here as I dip my toe in the alt waters...
 
Today I tried Lenox 100 paper, as I have read that it's quite amenable to the process, but alas the prints I made looked great in the wash but dried with a chalky haze look, especially noticeable in the darkest areas. Really bad...
 
The prints I made on Bienfang 360, the lightweight translucent marker paper, look fantastic.
 
So, it's not my solution or my coating technique, so I was wondering if anyone could offer advice? Dick Arentz has a little section in his pt/pd book about chalky and anemic prints, so I've been looking at that, too, trying to glean what may apply to the argy process as well.
 
Maybe I shouldn't waste time on papers that don't perform, but being a beginner I want to make sure that all the variables have been accounted for before I blame the material.
 
Thanks!
 
Paul