1. If Kodak Mexico requires a minimum of $3,000 for special order, you
might as well buy a ticket and visit US, spend some time here traveling
and taking pictures, and then buy whatever you need from here. :)
Another option is to try mail order.
2. For registration, tape your original to a piece of acetate, punch 2
holes using office hole punch. Do the same with the Kodalith film (you
can do this under the safelight, so it is not a problem). Buy some
register pins from graphic arts supply store. When you make the mask,
place both films through the register pin, and do the same later when you
register them. However, for unsharp making, you probably don't even need
to be this precise.
3. For exposure control, if you want to go buy trial and error, you could
try different sets of overexposure and underdevelop. The overexposure is
needed because you only want to pick up the shadow area. The underdevelop
is needed because you don't need full range negatvie, just a
low-contrast, low-density mask.
If you enjoy reading and want to have a technical understanding of the
process, you should read books in printing because you don't find much
information like this in photography book. Check the sections of masking
to lower contrast, masking to increase contrast, masking for shadow
control, and flashing for highlight control.
4. For unsharp mask, don't use glass. Use frosted acetate (you can find
this easily in drafting supply store or arts supply store). They are 1mm
or less thick.
Good luck!
David Soemarko
Image21