Re: FW: An exchange with Mike Ware (on Argyrotype) v salt

Making pictures: Indeed, but considering photography's close relation to
technology, I guess we can say that photographers probably are the most
technically oriented / concerned type of artists. I can't imagine a
group of painters discussing... for instance longevity for many hours.

As for simplicity of Salt Print: I can assure you that it isn't simplier
than... for instance Ziatype. Actually, I can't imagine a simplier
process than Ziatype. And a Ziatype is terribly stable compared to a
Salt Print... My current personal approach is to only practice processes
which make archival / stable prints. I don't consider [Untoned x (Salt
Print + Vandyke + Kallitype)] as archival / stable. Yes, Salt Prints can
be toned to make them quite archival but I don't see a reason to add
another step into the process (That is toning... And Salt Print also
includes a fixing stage. Ziatype on the other hand is only washed in
water, and cleared in citric acid.) One very obvious advantage of Salt
Print is cost (as Christina also pointed out). Making a salt print and
then toning it in Pt or Pd is indeed much more cost effective (but only
when not considering the "labor" involved - and time can be quite
precious sometimes). I personally don't see emulsion cost as a big
player in the equation because I have to import the fine papers I use at
premium prices + shipment / customs costs, and paper takes the most part
of my printing costs (this last point is highly subjective / specific to
my conditions of course).

Regards,
Loris.

-----Original Message-----
From: TERRYAKING@aol.com [mailto:TERRYAKING@aol.com]
Sent: 24 Mart 2006 Cuma 10:23
To: alt-photo-process-L@usask.ca
Subject: Re: FW: An exchange with Mike Ware (on Argyrotype) v salt

Can we bear in mind the objective of the exercise which is make
pictures.

One point that has come out of this discussion is that the salt print, a
silver process, has beautiful gradation and a long tonal range
comparable to platinum, qualities that make it satisfying to the
artist/craftsman.

It is also beautifully simple.

Terry
Received on Fri Mar 24 03:16:17 2006