[alt-photo] Re: Don't take the brown FAC!

[Loris Medici]

I once met with someone who uses brown FAC for Vandykes, and his prints were
pretty good. Just use it as if it was the green variant and you'll be OK I
think... (A: 20%, B: 8% - Try A: 25%, B: 12% too... I think the speed
difference will be negligible, if you're using sun for the exposures -
expecially at Riyadh!)

Remember, there wasn't green FAC in the time of Herschel and others, they
were simply using the brown variant. See?

Regards,
Loris.


-----Original Message-----
From: alt-photo-process-list-bounces at lists.altphotolist.org On Behalf Of
Trevor Cunningham
Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 2010 4:50 PM
To: The alternative photographic processes mailing list
Subject: [alt-photo] Don't take the brown FAC!

Hey gang,

Well, after a long wait, I finally have chemistry for gum and cyanotype...or
so I think. I opened my FAC and discovered that it looked VERY brown. After
mixing according to the traditional cyanotype in alternativephotography.com,
it doesn't have that iridescence I remember, and the dried emulsion is
brown. I haven't exposed one yet because my sun decided to hide for the rest
of the day's useful light. In the Unblinking Eye, there's mention that the
brown FAC is less sensitive and has a lower tonal range than the green.
Should I be making an effort to reduce contrast? Any suggestions as to how I
might alter the solutions to compensate? Something tells me I'm going to
have to really dial in a specific curve for this ride.