Luis, I'd expect the *paper* would be back to "normal relative humidity,"
but the *emulsion* is not necessarily returned to the status quo ante. At
least I've always assumed that changes induced in the emulsion by heat
were probably permanent... and I have, rightly or wrongly, assumed it was
effects on emulsion that changed "speed" etc. of the paper.
For testing purposes, BTW, I do try to standardize drying time (1/2 hour
for gum strips), but I use "available" RH, since I have a studio, not a
NASA lab. In making an actual gum print, however, such variables are
easily dealt with by varying temperature and/or time of development. ( Eat
your heart out, platinumists!)
A propos of which I'll mention that a lot of what Charlie Palmer
accomplishes with his mask-erade is readily done by selective brushing, or
even a few drops of water judiciously loosed over a gum print. (See
above.)
Judy
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