John Rudiak (wizard@laplaza.org)
Mon, 07 Jun 1999 22:50:07 -0600
attached mail follows:
Steve Shapiro wrote:
> Rather than tag through this and support my statements, I have copied our
> list Chemist, Sil Horowitz.
>
How did you copy him? Xerox, or something more permanent. I'd like to see him
last a long time.
>
> But, while waiting for his commentary, I want to know from John Rudiak:
> What is developer?
>
Steve, you need to ask a more specific question- Is it what is a developer?
or, what is a developing agent?
>
> >From your reply, perhaps we might continue this discussion by either going
> backward or forward, for it was recently revealed to me that some very
> famous, successful photographers and teachers don't know how the
> electrolosis process equates to film and paper development.
>
Steve, do you know what the "electrolosis" process is- even if it were spelled
correctly it has nothing to do with development. I don't think you are
referring to hair removal, and the other meaning involves passing an electric
current through an electrolyte to cause the migration of ions.
>
> Besides the hydrosynthesis of the alt-photo process of metal salt
> replacement.
>
I have an undergraduate degree in Chemistry and a masters degree in Fine Art,
and I don't know what the hell you are talking about here. Did you learn this
from one of your teachers listed below? What does it mean?
>
> Then, the activity of pyro and amidol upon silver halides in suspension on
> celluloid or mylar can better be explained.
>
So do it.
John Rudiak
http://www.johnrudiak.com
>
> Just to perpetuate the interest, my sources are local guys, Cole Weston,
> John Woods currently Bretts biographer and author of one of the Zone system
> books; my own photo instructors Roger Fremier and R.T. Clark and most
> interesting to all ... two of the guys who sold these now deceased, great
> photographers their supplies; and another guy who uses amidol with his pyro
> in the Jobo, GregBlanck the sales rep for Saater who deal with Zone VI
> products and Forte film and papers as well as Omega products.
>
> Okay, now to you: What is a developer?
>
> S. Shapiro
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: John Rudiak <wizard@laplaza.org>
> To: <alt-photo-process-l@skyway.usask.ca>
> Sent: Saturday, June 05, 1999 12:37 PM
> Subject: Re: What does amidol do?
>
> > I have a few questions here,
> >
> > Steve Shapiro wrote:
> >
> > > Amidol is a staining developing agent that is more acidic and developes
> from
> > > the base of the emulsion rather than the top of the emulsion down as
> most
> > > do.
> > >
> >
> > Can you substantiate this? This sounds like one of those false statements
> that
> > have become gospel without proof because they have been repeated so many
> times
> > by so many people because they "read it somewhere". I am referring
> specifically
> > to the "develops from the base up" statement. And when you say more
> acidic,
> > more acidic than what? Do you mean it functions atypically in an acidic
> > environment?
> >
> > >
> > > In theory, and to many photographer's eye in practice, this renders a
> more
> > > complete development with great depth to the image. While some use this
> > > combination with PMK in their Jobo, it was mostly used successfully in
> tray
> > > development with big negatives.
> > >
> > > Amidol has a tendency to oxidise at it's own rate
> >
> > What does this mean? I don't understand this.
> >
> > > and with this temperment
> > > is not a good developing agent to use with reel or hangar developing
> > > methods. I attest to that latter method folly having stained some 4X5
> negs
> > > using hangars to develop in amidol.
> > >
> > > I wish to caution you, when using pyrogalol (pyro) even in solution, it
> > > gives off an invisible gas that can get under your eyelids and severly
> > > damage your eyes and impare eyesight;
> >
> > You need to elaborate on this some more. What is this "invisible gas"
> that
> > "gets under the eyelids" ???????????
> >
> > > amidol when breathed into the lungs in
> > > the powder form can cause lung damage. It takes such little effort to
> be
> > > careful If your tendency is to mix chemicals carefully with your tongue
> > > between your lips, mouth open or if you're prone to agitate trays with
> your
> > > face close to the surface as in on a high counter top Don't bother with
> > > these chemicals. There's enough modern developers available. Edward
> Weston
> > > abandoned pryo and amidol for Edwal FG 7 and Selectol/Dektol during the
> last
> > > ten years of his photographing.
> > >
> > > S. Shapiro, Carmel, CA
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: Guy Glorieux <glorieux@pop.total.net>
> > > To: List Alt-Photo <alt-photo-process-l@skyway.usask.ca>
> > > Sent: Friday, June 04, 1999 9:41 AM
> > > Subject: What does amidol do?
> >
> > I appreciate your clearing these up for me. Thanks.
> >
> > John
> > http://www.johnrudiak.com
> >
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