[alt-photo] Re: Need Your Recommendations for New Alt-Process Paper

[Mike and Jan Andrews]

Hi

I am experimenting with a process that I invented in the 1970's, which is now called Ferric Gum.
This process uses ferric salts - so it also requires paper that is not buffered.
I tried 'acidifying' ordinary artist sketch paper using oxalic acid but this results in a white powder (calcium oxalate I presume).
I also tried 'acidifying' with very dilute hydrochloric acid (less than 1%) and leaving it for an hour or so, and this works fine.
I imagine that it would also work with the processes you are using.

Mike Andrews


> Date: Fri, 2 Sep 2011 11:17:47 -0700
> From: fdfragomeni at gmail.com
> To: alt-photo-process-list at lists.altphotolist.org
> Subject: [alt-photo] Need Your Recommendations for New Alt-Process Paper
> 
> Hi all,
> 
> I know that paper selection is a common discussion especially when new
> papers are released and great old papers are discontinued. It seems to be a
> never ending conversation. I'm in the process of setting up my facilities
> and purchasing materials for alt-processes (primarily Pt/Pl and Cyanotype).
> I've printed Pt/Pl before but only with friends (dedicated Pt/Pl printers)
> in their darkrooms so I had the ease of not having to think about or stock
> my own materials. Now comes the time to stock up on paper. I've used Cranes
> Platinotype and Bergger COT for Pt/Pl and mainly Bergger COT for Cyanotype.
> I still have some Bergger left but this past week when I went to order more
> from Bostick & Sullivan I saw that they had none and when I called to see
> when they would be getting more in, it did not seem as though they were
> expecting it anytime soon. I've heard rumors that it might be discontinued
> but I have no way of substantiating that. I would be very interested in
> hearing what the currently available papers are for those of you printing
> Pt/Pl, Platinum, and Palladium. I'll need to do some experimenting to find
> my paper of choice and then I'll probably buy as much as I can store.
> 
> Also, I've read quite a bit about people being unhappy with currently
> available papers because of the low acidity of the papers. It seems that
> many are turning to acidification techniques of fine art papers available at
> art stores rather then depending on disappearing papers made for Pt/Pl. Does
> anyone have any insight on this?
> 
> I've only been a member of the group for about 24 hours and many of you have
> already been immensely helpful. Thank you very much!
> 
> Best,
> Francesco Fragomeni
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