Why bother? Perhaps for the same reason as when we want to buy Dassonville
papers, Defender BB compound, Oriental Seagull papers, Aristo, Seed plates,
. . etc. If you think that Photoshop is going to be around forever just
like the above manufactured products I named, then there isn't any reason
at all to learn how to make your own photo supplies. However, take a look
at how fast software and hardware become obsolete (and at how difficult
it's going to be to upgrade several thousand negatives into the next
generation of "ultimate" software). Furthermore, if you are also willing to
relinquish control of the artistic process to whatever manufacturer--be
that chemical or digital/computer--comes along and thinks you ought to be
doing your art in that particular way, then that's okay, too. However, I'm
growing more and more of a cynical curmudgeon every day, and I prefer not
having the Microsoft, Aldus, IBM, Apple, Kodak, Ilford, Agfa, etc.
corporate entities tell me how I'm going to do, or not going to do, my art.
Carson, I think it's a fine discussion. I, for one, am quite interested.
Rae Adams
rae.adams@gtri.gatech.edu
P.S. In case anyone misses the demise of BB compound, you might want to try
my homebrew substitute: 20 ml 10% potassium bromide solution, 20 ml
distilled water, and 20 ml 1% benzotriazole solution. Add to 1 litre of
paper developer as a restrainer for bromide papers; 30 ml of solution per 1
liter for chloride or chloro-bromide papers.
Anyone have a homebrew substitute for Dassonville's paper formulas?