1st & 2nd Cyanotype

Hello,

I made a couple cyanotypes (Ware type II) last night and I was hoping I
could get some feedback. I followed the instructions on Mike Ware¹s site.
They are only first attempts, I¹m pretty happy with the results. Both were
done with the same drop count, exposure and clearing time, only the paper is
different.

* unknown papers (I was given some old, dirty paper from a pro silver
printer who dabbled with Pt/Pd at one point ­ when I first got it I first
washed the paper and was able to remove most of the dust/dirt that had
settled on it, I believe the first paper could be Strathmore Bristol, the
second I¹m not sure)
* drops = 12
* foam brush
* after sensitizing paper sat for 2mins, then used hair dryer (cool setting)
* approx 15mins exposure (under a nuArc)
* humidity was uncontrolled (paper not pre-humidified, room was on the dry
side)
* room temp was 23C
* used Toronto tap water to clear (when I used pH strips to test I read it
at 6-6.5, but I¹m starting to think that either I¹m reading the strips
incorrectly, or something else is wrong with them)
* 3% hydrogen peroxide to bring out image immediately
* more tap water to clear peroxide

The image can be found here (sorry, I don¹t have a scanner so I just shot
this with my digital camera):

http://www.gunaratnam.ca/_MG_4304.jpg

Like I said, this was a first shot at it. I know I should increase the
humidity in both cases and use a slightly acidic clearing bath ­ but I just
wanted to see the results like this. I believe the increased humidity will
help in applying the sensitizer evenly (a problem in both). The print on
the first paper (could be Strathmore bristol) has some kind of
mottling/speckling (easiest to see in the sensitized, but unexposed areas of
the top print). After doing the first print I thought it might be because I
didn¹t filter the sensitzer enough when I made it (though when making it I
filtered it twice through a medium grade filter paper) but the effect is not
there in the second print ­ leading me to believe its the paper.

Seeing how the second print came out, my first thought was ­ too long an
exposure (for this paper). Is that the correct conclusion, or should I be
thinking, poor clearing or something else? What can you say about the two
papers? (eg. ³the second one is ___adjective___², ³the first one shows more
___adjective___ than the second).

I¹ll be using the second mystery paper again for the next test. Will
prehumidfy the paper, do a shorter exposure and try to properly clear it
(maybe put into a weak citric acid bath first then clear with the toronto
tap water).

As always your thoughts are greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading this
lengthy post

Regards,
Gu
Received on 07/21/06-11:44:14 AM Z