From: Steve Shapiro (sgshiya@redshift.com)
Date: 02/15/02-10:42:58 PM Z
The Photographers' Formulary has a re-indroduction of Dupont BB, called
Shap's Bal. Bitz It will perform at a ratio of 1:16 per amount of activator
in your developer. If there is 32g of SOD sulfite, add 2g of the compound.
Or start with a 2% solution of Shap's Bal. Bitz and add 200ml per liter
until the intensity desired is achieved.
S. Shapiro
----- Original Message -----
From: "Sandy King" <sanking@clemson.edu>
To: <alt-photo-process-l@skyway.usask.ca>
Sent: Friday, February 15, 2002 7:46 PM
Subject: Re: VDB formulas
> Judy Seigel wrote:
>
> >
> >There are I think 3 [VDB formulas in P-F #1], one that didn't work AT
ALL,
> >one that sort of worked but wasn't very good, and the regular classic VDB
> >we know. That last is what I refer to -- but in some sources (which I do
> >not bring to mind), the part about "contrast control" with dichromate
came
> >with it.
>
>
> The last is the one that I have also been using.
>
> >
> >My folder on VDB is on a high shelf, & to get it down disturbs a lot of
> >asbestos particles, & other fallout from WTC (not to mention the usual
> >dust mites and mold spores), but *I believe* I exposed to the max, that
is
> >to the point that the bottom steps blocked up. I therefore assumed that
> >the cliff at the other end was intrinsic, not to be overcome by more
> >exposure (although Sandy says didn't find that !!!).
>
>
> Right. Nothing that I did actually increased contrast.
>
> First, I added potassium dichromate to the developer as James
> recommends, at the same strength, at less strength,and at more
> strength. Nothing.
>
> Second, I added potassium dichromate to the sensitizer prior to
> coating the paper. This resulted in a huge loss of effective printing
> speed, but no change in contrast. That is, the test wedge with and
> without the addition of potassium dichromate had the same number of
> steps from Dmax to Dmin.
>
> All of my solutions were fresh and mixed with distilled water?
>
>
>
> >-But if you want to increase contrast in the negative, I found that
> >chromium intensifier followed by selenium toner 1:3 gives the biggest
> >increase in neg density, also red color which is another filter, and
quite
> >a jumpl A very brief Farmer's reducer before the intensifier can weaken
> >highlights for even more contrast.
>
>
> I have used this method before and know that it works. Unfortunately,
> in this instance my negatives already have a DR of around 1.6,
> perfect for my carbon printing, and I have no desire to further
> increase their contrast.
>
> Too bad that so much unverified BS has been lavished on the naive by
> persons who did not take the time to verify for themselves procedures
> which they claim to work. I find fault with James (and others) for
> this, in spite of many other fine things about his book which I would
> praise, and even though he has probably been effectively immunized
> from criticism by his praise of all the esteemed and venerable in the
> world of alt photography, including - and in the same sentence - Judy
> Seigel, Dick Sullivan and Mike Ware.
>
> But I am still looking for an effective way to control contrast with
> the classic VDB formula.
>
> Sandy King
> --
>
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