RE: Van Dyke Contrast

Philippe MOROUX (Philippe_Moroux@msn.com)
Tue, 18 Jun 96 06:36:45 UT

Judy wrote:
>
1. Get a contrastier negative -- ie., one with a longer density range.

2. Use a contrastier paper. Some artists papers, like Coventry Rag,
Stonehenge, and a few others I don't recall now (maybe BFK) give a
steeper "curve." Get some & print under a 21-step, checking for *fewer*
steps up from D-Max. It helps to really saturate the paper -- on most
papers it also helps if you coat, dry, and coat again.

3. Try increasing the acid in the mix -- but that is experimental.

Forget all the formulas for added dichromate -- they give a lousy print
quality.
>

I would add:

4. Expose without delay.
5. Dry the print and then iron it under a layer of watercolor paper (don't
try that with platinum).
6. Do not wash too long in the first bath, go to the fixer after a 20 second
washing.
7. Eventually use distilled water as first bath with a wetting agent.

Philippe

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