Re: Good first alt process

Peter Marshall wrote:
>
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Alistair Calder [mailto:photo@alistair.com]
> > Sent: Thursday, 4 November 2004 7:20 p.m.
> > To: alt-photo-process-l@sask.usask.ca
> > Subject: Good first alt process
> >
> >
> > I have been reviewing this excellent list for quite a while now and I am
> >
> > interested in getting involved in some alt process. I have a few books
> > on the subject, a mountain of tutorials and other files.
> >
> > However, though I like the look of gum quite a bit, it looks like it is
> > fraught with potential disaster.
> >
> > So, I was wondering: Is there a good 'first process' to try that would
> > give a beginner a good chance of early success?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Alistair
>
> Alistair,
>
> I think discussions here can make gum seem difficult, but really reflect
> the fact that it is a very flexible process and can give usable results
> with very different individual ways of working. Everyone 'perfects' the
> process to get what they want from it. Beware of anyone who tries to lay
> down law about it.

Hi Alistair,
I'll just say, in addition to Peter's excellent comments, that gum
printing is easy; it's setting down a universal method of gum printing
that is difficult, and that's why all the disagreement and confusion
over gum printing on the list. Anyone can print gum; the problem arises
when someone sets him/herself up as an expert and proceeds to tell
everyone else how to print gum. I have a couple paragraphs about this
problem on the intro page I've already given, under the heading "Why gum
printers don't agree" and won't repeat them here. If you let the gum
teach you what it needs for your particular combination of materials and
equipment, and ignore most of the discussion here, you'll probably be
better off and learn more than if you try to follow the discussions
here.
Katharine Thayer
Received on Thu Nov 4 12:10:13 2004