[alt-photo] Old buffer

[Henry Rattle]

Hi All,

One of the first major things I've learned from Christina's new book is why
my cyanotype prints have been so pale, so often, for more years than I care
to admit. I have learned over time to "develop" them in water acidified with
acetic acid to about pH 5-6, which helps, but because all the papers I use
(Waterford, Bockingford, Artistico) are (as I now understand) heavily
buffered, it just seemed to be the way things are.

After reading Chris's chapter, I tried some different, cheap (and presumably
unbuffered) paper and lo and behold! Deep blues!

So - Chris suggests pre-acidifying paper for cyanotype in 5% hydrochloric
acid. This seems pretty ferocious - I think it's about pH 1? - so doesn't
that damage the paper in other ways? Has anyone found gentler ways of
neutralising the buffer in these nice papers?

Best wishes

Henry