A couple of suggestions for those who work
the Carbon process in tropical environments.
( banana trees can fruit here in the summer! )
Air-conditioning ??
I retreat to a basement with a dehumidifier.
The temperature below ground is nearly always
friendly enough for Carbon manipulation.
I don't particularly like working with spirit
sensitizer.
Drying a freshly set carbon matrix (tissue)
is readily accomplished with the aid of a
desiccator box . This need not be anything
elaborate , just make sure that there's room
for a tray generously filled with Calcium
Chloride which is cheap and can be found
at any swimming pool supplier during the summer
months. A muffin fan in the box is all the
circulation needed (just keep the Calcium Chloride
refreshed.)
As to drying sensitized gelatin matrix (tissue),
the desiccator can be called into service once
again. For those working with smaller sizes, a
vacuum desiccator made of Lexan and and aspirator
to hookup to a faucet for vacuum can be had from
most suppliers for about sixty dollars U.S. .
With Calcium Chloride and 25 in. Hg , the drying
rate is fairly rapid.
Another suggestion would be : don't dry it .
Carbon matrix can be exposed "wet". Squeegey
gently onto a very thin piece of mylar. In the
contact printing frame, the negative is protected
from the damp gelatin matrix by the mylar.
Be sure to blot all stray drops and back the
matrix sheet in the frame with blotting paper.
This technique will not produce tack-sharp prints.
However, for certain portrait work it can be useful.
Beat the heat with air-conditioning is
probably the most universal means to print
Carbon. I love the story of how Woodbury presses
could be kept operating during an especially hot
summer in England by employing ice under their
platens.
Stay "cool"
Phillip Murphy