Re: gold

Bob_Maxey@mtn.3com.com
Mon, 16 Mar 1998 14:40:39 -0700

>>>A friend of mine was working in a rather strange (strange to me, a kind
of
straight laced "pure photographer") fashion and got the kind of effect that
I think you are looking for. She refered to the process as "physical
development" and it was acheived by using EXHAUSTED developer and very
long
development times. When she did this the result was what I refered to as
"gilded" (spelling?) and although it was a purely photographic image it
looked like it was made of gold (sometimes silver) metal. Beyond that, I
can' t give you much information on just how she acheived the effect.

Physical Development? Sounds like a Cheap Photographer who is too lazy to
use fresh chemicals. The "Effect" is caused by extreme depletion of the
chemicals in the developer. This is clearly poor practice and nothing new.
I have seen this "Effect" for the last 20 years or so. It is not to be
termed a special, new process; rather, a lack of knowledge in the darkroom.
Remember, you simply can't add fresh developer to old developer without
corruption. I hear people on the list talking about replenishing, and it
can be done. However, not with the same developers, but rather with
Replenishers. When developers are exhausted, they are exhausted and require
more than the addition of fresh developer can provide.

Also, long development times can lead to fogging. This can be caused by the
safelight and/or what is termed "Chemical Fogging" I am amazed at how many
people who do not know better, and give a new name to a process they do not
understand. They have a screwup and term it something New and Exciting. Or
they do not follow instructions and recommendations and deem it a new
procedure. The fundamentals seem to be lacking these days and it is sad.

Finally, do not think ill of me, and flame me if that is your desire, but I
feel strongly about this. Use Alt Techniques, but remember, not everything
is an ALT process. Some of these ideas are pure crap and deserves
absolutely NO attention whatsoever.

RM