Re: Anybody experimented with Argyrotypes?
You need pretty contrasty negatives for Argyrotype. Much more contrasty than what you'd need for silver gelatin. If your negatives are exposed/developed for s/g printing, I'm afraid you won't be able to get nice contrasty/punchy Argyrotypes. (AFAIK, there's some contrast control with the chemistry but I'm not sure if that will suit negatives optimized for s/g printing.) I don't think they're necessarily more stable than any other process giving colloidal silver image on plain paper - as long as the images are correctly processed/thoroughly cleared. Especially so when you choose to tone your images with noble metals. I had good results with Bergger COT 320 paper (the only paper I had used for making Argyrotypes). As a rule of thumb, any paper that doesn't give problems with New Cyanotype is also good for Argyrotypes. Search the web / list archives for paper information. If you extremely value image stability (and need the extra protection) then you should definitely tone your Argyrotypes (or Vandykes/Kallitypes/Salt Prints) with gold, platinum or palladium. But be aware that toning for extra longevity comes with the price of changing the original color of the image. Regards, Loris. 20 Nisan 2009, Pazartesi, 11:30 pm tarihinde, fernando cruz florez yazmış: > Thanks again for the quick response... > I have some negatives in black and white which I want to use for an > exhibition using this technique (Argyrotype). I've read a couple of books > which suggest that this process is more stable than a couple of other > processes I was considering. Since you've experimented with this process > are > there any particular paper types (brands?) which you'd recommed? > > I will have to mix the chemicals myself since they're not available > pre-made > here in Colombia. > > I have some experience with the Bichromate Gum process from when I worked > in > Arte 2 Grafico (an artisanal/crafts workshop - http://artedos.com/ ) but > this is the first time I'm experimenting with this particular process and > the stability/longevity of the images to be used for the exhibition is > very > important. > > Any other advice would be very welcome and greatly appreciated. > > Sincerely, > > Fernando Cruz > > -- > Fotografía y diseño. > Fernando Cruz Florez > Para ver mi portafolio entre a: > > fernandocruz.fotografiacolombiana.com > www.fotografiacolombiana.com > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/cgcentrodelaimagen/ > http://www.elangelcaido.org/muestras/2008/200812fcruz/200812fcruz.html > > facebook fernandocruzf@gmail.com > skype fernandocruzflorez > telefono 57 1 3232287 > movil 57 3108686025 > > > > > 2009/4/20 Loris Medici <mail@loris.medici.name> > >> Fernando, I did. What exactly do you want to know? >> >> The first thing to mention is that it's a very picky process when it >> comes >> to paper choices; you have to use the best and purest papers. >> >> Also, it's better to tone the image in gold before fixing, if you value >> longevity that is; colloidal silver in paper is pretty vulnerable... And >> the color + darkness is beautiful that way. (Pt or Pd toning also is >> possible, but, personally, I got best results with gold.) >> >> It's pretty easy to mix the solution - definitely more complex than >> Vandykes (if you have to compound silver oxide yourself) but not a big >> deal. Mix a volume enough for a couple of months (not longer than 5-6 >> months), the solution will deteriorate and silver out as time passes. >> >> Regards, >> Loris. >> >> >> 20 Nisan 2009, Pazartesi, 2:41 am tarihinde, fernando cruz florez >> yazmış: >> > ... >> > I was wondering if there's anybody out there who's worked with >> Argyrotypes >> > willing to share their experiences and tips/tricks for the process. >> > ... >> >
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