From: Robert W. Schramm (schrammrus@hotmail.com)
Date: 11/30/00-08:44:17 PM Z
Kallitype in some forms does tend to be difficult but one version,
namely, Vandyke brown is fairly easy. It is a simple process with
a tonal range similar to platinum. You can use the same negatives
as you would with platinum and it is a lot less expensive. The only
real problem with it involves fixing. All the printed literature
suggests a concentration of sodium thiosulfate that is to great and
a fixing time that is too long. I have never had a problem clearing VDB and
I have some pretty old prints that show no sign of fading.
Also you can gold tone it useing a formula for POP or salt prints.
I believe that someone on the list suggested selenium toner but I
have no experience with that.
There have been several great articles in the PFJ on VDB so I would
suggest reading or rereading those since the info is more accurate
than you will find in hardback literature.
I used to start my students with cyanotype and more them to VDB
before they tried gum or platinum. Never had any problems other than
the usual student laziness and ennui.
Bob Schramm
>From: Judy Seigel <jseigel@panix.com>
>Reply-To: alt-photo-process-l@sask.usask.ca
>To: alt-photo-process-l@sask.usask.ca
>Subject: Re: Palladium
>Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2000 14:01:08 -0500 (EST)
>
>
>
>On Thu, 30 Nov 2000 Kerik717@aol.com wrote:
> > ... I think you will find that Kallitype is a
> > much more difficult process to master than platinum/palladium. The
> > main hurdles with Kallitype are complete clearing, loss of image
> > density during processing, consistency, and image permanence. For
> > proper clearing, fixing, and toning you will need many more steps in
> > the Kallitype process than pt/pd printing. I think you will get to
>
>Well, here's another county heard from. Re image loss during fixing, did
>you add ammonia to the fix? With that, image loss was minimal. (Do a
>21-step to measure image loss, then "overprint" accordingly -- wasn't very
>much.) But that may also be a factor of the developer -- I used sodium
>acetate with tartaric acid -- proved a very reliable combo. Also much
>easier to mix than that nasty Rochelle salts (& many times cheaper), &
>less poisonous than potassium oxalate. With that developer virtually no
>clearing problems. For permanency, who knows? But a gold toner (gold
>prices still drop) takes care of that, and with student work, permanency
>is not a paramount issue.
>
>True, kallitype is more fuss than palladium printing (but anything is more
>fuss than pl/pt printing, the easiest processes on earth, only made
>*difficult* by nervous attacks re the cost of metal), but that's only
>because there's an extra step -- the fixing, plus hypo clear. On the plus
>side, much more flexibility in color of the print & much more variety in
>style of paper. Also free spirit -- and isn't that the whole point?
>
>If you decide to go on to palladium from there,it will seem even easier
>than it is. I'll add incidentally that I understand some "platinum"
>printers have switched to kallitype for personal work, also that some
>ceertified classes in certified "platinum" begin now with kallitype for
>financial reasons.
>
>As for size of print -- a lapidary *vision* is one thing, but surely it's
>inhibiting to print small simply for reasons of economy. And Kerik, I
>wouldn't agree that "less than $1 each" is liberating for a beginner !!!!
>I may be a fossil, but.... .... OK the 4x5 is a good intro to palladium
>printing but many photographers, coming over from silver gelatin, never
>learn anything else, if you could believe !
>
> > satisfying results much sooner (and with less headache) with pt/pd.
> > And, since you're only printing 4x5 for now, the cost of materials for
> > pt/pd shouldn't be a major issue. You should be able to make 4x5
> > palladium prints for less than $1 each. Start with an inexpensive
> > paper that works well single coated - the Cranes 90# cover that Carl
> > mentioned would be a good choice.
>
>
>as ever,
>
>Judy
>
>.................................................................
>| Judy Seigel, Editor >
>| World Journal of Post-Factory Photography > "HOW-TO and WHY"
>| info@post-factory.org >
>| <http://rmp.opusis.com/postfactory/postfactory.html>
>.................................................................
>
>
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Get more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : 12/01/00-11:46:58 AM Z CST