Re: Cyanotypes

From: Judy Seigel (jseigel@panix.com)
Date: Sat Dec 04 1999 - 02:42:18 /etc/localtime


On Fri, 3 Dec 1999, garimo wrote:

> Hi again,
> I've dunked prints in household beach and it does make a darkening of
> the blues but also bleaches out details in the highlights... I prefer
> the hydrogen Peroxide bath, same effect with out the smell and does not
> bleach the prints.

Sorry to disappoint you, but if it is the "same as the peroxide bath" it's
no intensification. Wanna bet? Tear a junk print in half, put half in the
peroxide bath and half in the drawer. Compare the two dry prints in a few
days. The peroxide oxidizes, or darkens immediately, what the air does
more slowly.

There is some evidence that an acid bath does intensify though, I gather
it does, tho I don't believe it til I've done it -- but so far I've not
seen color changes be permanent.

> In October I toned some cyanotypes with the tannic acid, after a bath
> in ammonia, very smelly process- needs good fans- but I sorta' like the
> lavender/brown color...except for the light staining/coloring of the
> paper as well as the cyanotype. It was fun...
> Garimo

You'll get the same colors with tannic and sodium carbonate, even sodium
hydroxide (other alkalis as well) without the smell. The staining of the
paper base is generally from contaminated baths, try one shot and/or and
good rinse between the baths.

Judy

> >I've tried this with both the old and the new cyanotypes. It does make for
> >a beautiful color with the old cyanotype, provided that you don't overdo it
> >and literally bleach the image away.
> >On the Ware cyanotype you also get a gorgeous dark blue-lavender but the
> >effect is temporary. Very tragic to watch this color appear then fade
> >away, along with (eventually) the image.
> >Has anyone tried tannic acid for a brown/black on either cyanotype?
> >Kathryn Garrison
> >
> >At 07:06 PM 12/3/99 +0000, you wrote:
> >>Hello,
> >>
> >>with all this talk about Cyanotypes, and by implication, getting the
> >>best/most intense blue and D-Max,
> >>I wondered whether anyone has tried giving their prints a quick soak in
> >>dilute household bleach after the water development stage. I've not seen it
> >>mentioned on the list and I can't think where I read about it but it
> >>really does give the most fabulous blue when using the 'old' cyano. A+B
> >>formula. Don't know how the Ware formula would react though.
> >>
> >>Julian Smart.
>



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