From: Jonathan Bailey (quryhous@midcoast.com)
Date: 03/31/01-07:22:38 AM Z
Christina-
You seem to be doing just fine. GO GIRL!
> My numerous questions are as follows:
> 1) What kind of toxicity am I exposing my body to with this solution? It
> really stinks. do you wear a gas mask?
I rarely do this in a darkroom - but yes, good ventilation is highly
recommended. And wear gloves!!
I generally conduct my classes in open studio space on long tables - better
light to see the action, better ventilation, more room to move around, less
claustrophobic, etc. I've even conducted entire workshops outdoors! Even
better! Plus a view!
> 2) Can I use a higher volume peroxide without increasing the
> other dilutions
> or do I have to always keep the peroxide part equal to the 20 volume 6%
> amount (e.g. can I use the straight 130vol with equal amounts of copper
> solution and make it work faster)?
This isn't platinum printing - it's not *that* exact. Fine tune your
formula as best suits your images, situation, whim.
> 3) Why develop twice? I got plenty of veiling with the first go around.
Stop whenever you judge the effect pleasing. No absolutes!
> 4) I hope the following is not stupid: if you redevelop in developer, you
> don't have to fix do you?
Not that I've ever heard or read.
> 5) How many prints does the bleach stuff do? I did about 6-8 11x14's in a
> little over a liter of mix.
I think you'll find the action of the chemistry simply slows down with use -
but those numbers are consistent with my experience.
> 6) Does developer contaminate the bleach solution or bleach
> contaminate the
> developer? In other words, do you have to be careful about drips back and
> forth during the two developing/bleaching processes?
yes and no...
> 5)Do I need to dispose of it specially, or can it go down the drain?
I send exhausted chemistry down the drain. But this question could cause
considerable debate, depending on where a person draws the line about the
definition of "toxic."
> 6) You do all of this by room light, correct?
Yup.
But then, Judy discussed at one point performing this process between the
developer and the fix (during the original printing of the negative) - which
I assume would mean under safe lights. Could be interesting....
> 7) Should I expect to have all over stain of the highlights and borders of
> the print with redevelopment in developer or thiocarbamide?
Stains are integral to the process - and vary extremely depending on paper
used, redevelopers, etc. RC papers don't stain much and retain their
paper-base whites.
Christina, It sounds to me like you're working the chemistry and process
just fine! Now the trick is to find imagery that works well with the
process - that matches image and process into a whole greater than the sum
of its parts.
May I suggest you now let *the image* dictate any necessary tweaking to the
process - and don't worry about how I work it, or what anyone else does at
this point. You've got it! Now put it to work!!!
I'll be signing off the list for a few weeks in a couple days. I send you
and the group best wishes!
Ciao - Jon
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