[alt-photo] Re: cyanotype [Triangle]

[Loris Medici]

My advice would be that you:
Humidify before coating, coat, wait until no surface sheen is visible (3-5
minutes depending on paper and environment), thoroughly force dry with heat
(both front and back sides, until paper's literallty/practically bone dry),
wave the paper few times until it isn't hot anymore (don't overdo it since
it immediately starts to suck moisture from the air and do it in a
consistent manner), quickly put the paper in the printing frame sealing the
back with mylar or similar impermeable material and expose. (Naturally, the
exposure times will increase significantly due decreased sensitivity, but
once determined it's very consistent - in every RH levels...)

Regards,
Loris.


-----Original Message-----
From: Loris Medici
Sent: Thursday, June 03, 2010 9:59 AM
To: 'The alternative photographic processes mailing list'
Subject: RE: [alt-photo] Re: cyanotype [Triangle]

Diana,

All processes that use FAC are somehow problematic in the department of
getting "in" the paper. You need relaxed (humid - not wet!) paper while
coating, to have the sensitizer effectively soak in the paper. You don't
need damp paper while exposing (if you aren't going for the shortest
possible exposure time, that is...), actually, damp/humid paper during
exposure is a problem with processes that have FAC sensitizer; since
negatives tend to stick to the paper and/or negatives peel the topmost
fibers from the paper giving extra grainy / fibrous tones...

Regards,
Loris.


-----Original Message-----
From: alt-photo-process-list-bounces at lists.altphotolist.org On Behalf Of
Diana Bloomfield
Sent: Thursday, June 03, 2010 5:01 AM
To: The alternative photographic processes mailing list
Subject: [alt-photo] Re: cyanotype [Triangle]

Hmm . . . that's so odd.  I really have to humidify my papers (for
cyanotype)-- literally holding both sides of the paper in the steam, until
the paper actually feels somewhat damp, for cyanotype to work for me-- no
matter what paper I use.  Otherwise, the emulsion just comes right off in
the water.  That's why I'm so surprised that  
humidity would be the issue.   Maybe it's just weird water up there,  
full of weird toxic stuff. :0