I have noticed the same phenomenon. I think light is refracting to
the edge of the negative and exposing your paper. Sort of like a film
version of fiber optic transmission. The only solution I know is the
one you have found - e.g. put the mask between the paper and the
negative. I use a vacuum frame, so ensuring sharpness at the edges
has not been an issue. Either get a vacuum frame or a really stout
contact printing frame.
Clay
On Jun 29, 2006, at 2:54 PM, Matthew Baily wrote:
>
> Hello all,
>
> I have a problem that some of you may know the answer to or
> recognize. When I mask the negative by placing a rubylith window on
> top of the negative between it and the glass of the contact frame I
> get a fine line of exposed emulsion (develops out to be a fine line
> on all four sides of the image) where the edge of the negative is.
> But, the mask window is smaller than the image on the negative and
> covers the edge of the negative. When I place the mask between the
> neg. and paper the problem goes away, but the contact is poor at
> the edges of the images. Do you think light could be travel
> horizontally through the negative and causing an exposure at it's
> very edges ( a bit like fiber optics)?
>
> I TAed for a professional platinum printer ( Arkady Lavov) and he
> told me this would happen and that I should just place the mask
> between the negative and paper, but he never told me why. Does
> anybody else recognize this problem or am I just mad?
>
> It really bugs the hell out of me. Any help would be much appreciated.
>
> Matt
>
Received on 06/29/06-02:08:16 PM Z
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