U of S | Mailing List Archive | alt-photo-process-l | RE: Albumen paper and ply

RE: Albumen paper and ply



Thank-you Eric.

 

Is there a direct conversion from ‘ply’ to gsm?

 

Regards

 

John.

 

From: eric nelson [mailto:emanphoto@gmail.com]
Sent: 11 January 2009 06:50
To: alt-photo-process-l@usask.ca
Subject: Re: Albumen paper

 

I'd suggest Strathmore Artist Drawing paper plate finish 1 ply.  I haven't used any recent vintages, but have used some recently with success.

Eric

 

On Sat, Jan 10, 2009 at 1:57 PM, John Brewer <john@johnbrewerphotography.com> wrote:

Thanks Cor, John and Etienne.

 

J.

 

From: etienne garbaux [mailto:photographeur@nerdshack.com]
Sent: 10 January 2009 01:51
To: alt-photo-process-l@usask.ca
Subject: RE: Albumen paper

 

John wrote:

I want to make some albumen paper for printing wetplate negs. What papers are recommended and what weight? The range of paper here in the UK seems to be quite limited in comparison to the US, for example I've never seen Cranes here. What qualities does the paper need, buffered, unbuffered etc.


As others have suggested, thin paper is advantageous.  I would add that smoothness (lack of surface texture) is a considerable virtue, as well as a rather hard finish that is not so absorptive.  I have used any number of papers, some of which were likely buffered, without any difficulty.  (These days, for any alt process, I soak buffered paper in weak HCl to neutralize it.)  Some of the best papers for albumen, in my view, are drawing papers sold in pads.  One of the Bienfang drawing papers was my favorite, but I do not recall which one.  The Crane's Kid Finish suggested by (other) John works well, but I'm not as fond of the current "pearl white" as I was of the previous "white."  Crane's White Thesis Paper also works very well, is somewhat thinner, and last I knew is not watermarked.

Best regards,

etienne