Re: Anybody experimented with Argyrotypes?
I used negatives, that were a little contrasty for SG, but not very much. As the other says, the paper choice is crucial for this proces (contrast depends of paper too). I sometimes got perfect image out of water but after drying they were ruined at drying (irregular spots ...). But even not perfect ones are sometimes quite interesting. I have one which is quite "dreamy" (without contrast, faded ..., I showed it at my exhibiton) but very suitable for the image (but that was merely a luck), quite a lot ended in a bin. Regards Stane Kocar ----- Original Message ----- From: "Loris Medici" <mail@loris.medici.name> To: <alt-photo-process-l@usask.ca> Sent: Monday, April 20, 2009 10:48 PM Subject: 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. > ... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.287 / Virus Database: 270.12.0/2068 - Release Date: 04/19/09 20:04:00
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