Re: 1st & 2nd Cyanotype

Hey Kyle,

Thanks.

Yes, this is a digital neg, but it was actually made using Dan's template.
I have started to read PDN, but I don't have a scanner or densitometer yet,
so I haven't been giving it as much attention as I want to. I feel like
there are a million things to know. I'm not complaining.

I did notice what you said about the second step wedge. I was hoping that
the lack of contrast in it was due to if/because it was overexposed. I'll
bump up the contrast in the neg after one more go at it with this neg. I'm
doing all this by eye/feel (which is why I'm dying for the precision of
PDN).

Until you asked whether these papers were cold or hot pressed I hadn't
bothered to read what those terms meant. I couldn't say whether these are
cold/hot. Compared to normal writing paper, it is quite textured - so
possibly they are cold pressed. I didn't notice if any fibres were lifting
off during clearing, I'll watch for it next time. I've got some Arches
Platine, but I'm saving it until I feel like I know what I'm doing.

Could you tell me how you are using the washing soda? What brand of soda is
this? (I've never used it for anything). How is it mixed? I assume you
bathe the print in it? How long?

Thanks again, have a good weekend.

Gu

On 7/21/06 2:26 PM, "kyle@aprojectneptune.net" <kyle@aprojectneptune.net>
wrote:

> Gu,
>
> I am inclined to believe both of your issues have to deal with the paper.
> The spots you comment on for the first print I've encountered as a result
> of sizing/buffering in the paper.
>
> The second print i think is just a really really flat print. If you
> notice there is no contrast in your step wedge but it does not get to Dmax
> until the very last step, the rest are not quite at Dmax but have no
> contrast in them. But then your first square is pretty close to white but
> not quite. So, there is probably a little bit of over exposure going on
> here but overall your neg does not have enough contrast in it for this
> TYPE of paper.
>
> If you are using digital negs then it would be very easy to correct these
> problems. That is tweek the neg for this type of paper, especially if you
> are using Mark's system.
>
> I would not hair dry rather just let air dry.
>
> Is the paper hot pressed or cold pressed? My first cyanotypes were on cold
> pressed paper and I got spots because the paper could not stand up to the
> washing and little pieces flaked off.
>
> I actually really like overexposed prints for cyanotype and then bleaching
> them with washing soda. I often will overexpose my prints just so i can
> bleach them cause it's fun and i like the images i get with this. Then I
> tone with a tea of some sort, etc.
>
>
>
>
Received on 07/21/06-01:31:26 PM Z