RE: gum platinum . . . ?

Coburn, American born, worked here, then moved to London (better known
in England ?)

part of the Linked Ring (UK) and Photo-Secession group (NYC)

gum platinum is gum bichromate printed over platinum... a very hot
topic these days, try searching the archives... look for Stuart Melvin

copper plate press - aka etching press... he is 'pulling' a
photogravure in the self-portrait

later

Darryl

-----Original Message-----
From: PhotoGecko Austin [mailto:gecko@photogecko.com]
Sent: Sun 12/7/2003 10:12 PM
To: alt-photo-process-l@sask.usask.ca
Subject: Re: gum platinum . . . ?
 
BINGO!

Thanks, Kate-- that's the kind of info I was looking for.

Regards,
John
__________________________
John Campbell
PhotoGecko Studios & Gallery
1413 South First Street
Austin, Tx 78704

(512) 797-9375

www.photogecko.com

On Sunday, December 7, 2003, at 01:30 PM, Kate Mahoney wrote:

> sorry all if this is out of date - but i couldn't restrain myself
from
> answering. The "hood"is coburn's right elbow as he's holding two
arms
> of the
> capstan.....the forearm pad is actually a sleeve protector to keep
him
> from
> getting inky and I think he's also wearing an apron- sensible
> precautions in
> those pre-plastic days to prevent soiling from the inky press.
>
> Kate Mahoney
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "PhotoGecko Austin" <gecko@photogecko.com>
> To: <alt-photo-process-l@sask.usask.ca>
> Sent: Saturday, November 29, 2003 5:16 PM
> Subject: gum platinum . . . ?
>
>
>> Greetings all,
>>
>> I've just stumbled upon a remarkable image from the Eastman
archives,
>> a
>> self portrait by one Alvin Langdon Coburn
>> (http://www.eastman.org/9_colphoto/9_coll/9ninetw/9n07.htm)
entitled
>> The Copper Plate Press. The image is characterized as a gum
platinum
>> print.
>>
>> I have a constellation of questions about this image, and trust the
>> list to clue me in, to wit:
>>
>> -- who was Alvin Langdon Coburn?
>>
>> -- what is (was. . . ?) a copper plate press?
>>
>> -- do we have recipes for "gum platinum" prints, and are any of us
>> doing them?
>>
>> -- what's with the garb Alvin is wearing? (i.e., do the hood,
>> drawstring, and forearm pad bear significance to the printing
>> process?).
>>
>> -- was the backdrop paper, canvas, muslin. . . or a precursory
>> Photoshop plug-in, perhaps? (:~>)
>>
>> -- would this print have been toned, and if so, how?
>>
>> I dunno. . . .
>>
>> I'm just up late, browsing and wondering. . . .
>>
>> My best to all,
>> John
>> __________________________
>> John Campbell
>> PhotoGecko Studios & Gallery
>> 1413 South First Street
>> Austin, Tx 78704
>>
>> (512) 797-9375
>>
>> www.photogecko.com
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>