I have recently been attempting to albumenize paper
for contact printing but I have a problem with my
silver nitrate solution. It seems that after I apply
the solution to the paper it darkens significantly
by the time the paper dries. I am using a 13% solution
which I have used distilled water to make. The paper
I am using varies, with the same result. I tried
applying the silver nitrate to albumenized paper and
then on nonalbumenized paper, and nonalbumenized paper
with the sizing washed off. So does silver nitrate
always take on a tan color when dry? Is my solution
too strong? Should I measure the pH of the silver
nitrate, measuring for excess nitric acid? I have
applied this stuff to the paper in complete darkness
so there is no light leak as the paper dries issue.
I have been reading and researching the process for
several months now, and these results thus far are
discouraging.
Chico Seay
cseay@TUred.pa.utulsa.edu