[alt-photo] Re: Mailman was awesome today and platinum

[Christina Anderson]

Hi Jean,

There is no rhyme nor reason to the post office. Two people in the same town, one received it already, the other didn't. Netherlands faster than CA or OK. Go figure. There is only one thing certain is that all orders went out within the same several days (I know because I entered them one by one) and the post office prices are killing me. The USPS keeps losing money and is now either going to or thinking about cutting Saturday delivery. I'd be fine with that if they wouldn't raise their overseas flat rate a whopping $7 in one price increase.

Now to keep it on the alt topic, we started the platinum unit in class yesterday, and several students had bought Strathmore Bristol 300 series. Boy was that a terrible paper! The chemistry absorbed spottily and produced a result I have never seen before. Had to go pull out some Platine and give it to the students to make sure it was the paper and not tainted chemistry or developer and sure enough, Arches Platine is so gorgeous. So is Weston. And Fabriano Artistico that one student acidified looked great, too. 

I have them choose their own papers and then calibrate curves for each paper separately and I'm trying to find cheaper alternatives (aka pads or blocks) instead of $8-10 Platine. Weston is so reasonably priced and works with all alt processes except gum that it's a no-brainer, if a cream color is to one's liking. But these papers are not readily picked up in any art store.
Chris

Christina Z. Anderson
christinaZanderson.com

On Feb 13, 2013, at 3:17 PM, Jean Daubas wrote:

> Hi Chris, hi all
> 
> Yesterday I sent the post below to our list but, for an unknown reason, it never appeared...
> So, i make a new attempt !
> 
> From: Jean Daubas
>> Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2013 11:35 AM
>> To: The alternative photographic processes mailing list
>> Subject: Re: [alt-photo] Re: Mailman was awesome today
>> 
>> Looking at the thick snow falling,
>> not an easy path for the postman ‘s car.
>> Keep cool, Jean: it’s not for today! just dream of this book until they decide to drop it above my remote countryside French village...
>> 
>> ... but of course, I am happy for all of you , happy alternative photographers who already enjoy the taste of Christina’s litterature
>> 
>> Cheers from France,
>>    Jean
> 
> By the way, snow has now stopped.
> Though, no book in sight, , under or under the white layer...
> 
> Alternative thoughts from france,
> Jean
> ***********************************************
> 
> 
> Jean Daubas, auteur-photographe
> 10 rue des Trouillets
> 25640 OUGNEY-DOUVOT France
> +33 (0)6 81 53 12 89 
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