I have been lurking in the shadows for a while watching the traffic run
back and forth. Well I fanally feel I have something useful to contribute.
I am a professional photographer working for Cambridge University as a
departmental photographer. Essentially it means I have to do everything
from macro specimen work through to industrial and commercial type work.
As the University doesn't pay too well I also run my own business one
aspect of which was to provide a photographic copying service to local
photo studios. Before the desk top scanner and dye sub printer became
quite common place there was a small but worthwhile market in copying old
photographs for people - family history, recently dead relatives etc. One
of the techniques i used a ot of the time was using tea to stain paper.
The reason behind this being that when old photos are copied onto modern
papers with very white fillers the images look too bright, especially if
there is any paper base showing. The problem is at its worst when using
multigrade resin coated papers - its a sad fact that fibre papers push the
costs way beyond most peoples wallets. I also sepia toned prints to stop
them looking modern, however it is important to realise there is a big
diference between toning and staining.
The technique I used is as follows, or rather still use when I am not
undercut by a second rate service offered by some cowboy who has a cheap
scanner and printer. Me bitter and twisted? The following should apply to
both fibre and resin coated papers although the 'soak up characteristics'
will be slightly different.
Process and wash the print as normal. You dont need to dry the prints.
Sepia tone if required, this should be done before staining as many toners
seem to go muddy if you try to tone a stained print. Make sure you wash
the toned print well. Dont dry the print prior to staining unless you want
to carry out the staining at a later date. Make up your tea solution, I
use tea bags and try new varities and brands as they come onto the market
as they can give quite a range of colours. You can also use leaf teas but
make sure you strain them well through a filter paper prior to use. I have
found that a one mug sized tea bag will make around .75 litre of soloution.
The hotter the solution the faster the stain will take. I personally make
my solution by pouring boiling water onto the tea bag, give it a good stir
for about 20 seconds then remove tea bag and add some cold water to cool
the solution to about 35 - 40 degrees centigrade. I find this range keeps
the process quite quick and still gives control, at 20 degrees centigrade
(68f) the process can be a bit slow and the tea may be stale and stewed
before the depth of stain you require has been achieved. Slide the WET
print in QUICKLY and agitate immediately and evenly. Take out the print or
pour out the tea as soon as the print appears to be half as stained as you
require, check every ten seconds, (it darkens significantly on drying).
Wash the print immediately and thoroughly. Dry. It is important that the
print is wet when you put it into the tea otherwise you can get uneven
staining. Throw the tea away now! If you want to stain another print mix
up more FRESH solution ready for immediate use. If you let the tea 'stew'
you will see a surface 'bloom' appear on the solution. This usually
results in the prints being very unevenly stained, with quite well defined
edges to the areas of 'uneveness'. Remember tea bags are cheap - how much
have you already spent on the paper, chemicals and your time to get the
print ready to stain? As with all new processes it is a good idea to
experiment on a few gash prints to guage the speed and effect of the
process.
I have tried using coffee as well but have found that instant coffee can
leave a slightly tacky feel to the surface of the print and I also found
that tea was easier to control. I havent tried using filter coffees etc as
they take too long to produce, coffee is quite expensive and finally I dont
drink filter coffee!
I hope that my ramblings will be of help!
Dudley
Oh yes one other thing, tea with sugar, lemon or milk is a total waste of
time!!!!!
Dudley Simons
drs1005@esc.cam.ac.uk
(01223 3) 33407
Senior Photographer
Dept Earth Sciences
University of Cambridge
England