Here's a strange one for the group. For the record, I work with salted
paper and just recently been starting to play around with Argyotypes.
Recently I have experienced the problem of my blacks almost washing
(bleaching?) away, while the middle tones and very delicate highlight
details end up where they "should be". The darkest blacks jump up about
three zones. At first I suspected that the city had increased the chlorine
in the tap water, but it happened with distilled water also. Of course if
it was extra chlorine in the water, delicate high light details would be
bleached out also. Since this has happened with both processes, I can only
assume that my paper is the problem. I have been using Cottmans Watercolor
paper for over a year with out any trouble...until now. I will try with
another paper this weekend, but until then:
If the paper is the problem, why would only the darks be effected and not
the highlights?
I use Tween 20 with both processes, is that really needed with Argyotype
since Tween is in the stock solution to begin with? (just wondering, no
real concern)
And, any other thoughts would be appreciated.
Joe P.