Anyway, Davis's plan for a light box calls for a layer of aluminum foil
or a metal reflector under the bulbs, no doubt to amplify that dim light
-- and by cosmic coincidence I've just revealed that the foil gives a
*much* softer image (tho I don't know what effect a perfectly smooth
reflector sheet would have). This may be in part why he says, "gum
by nature is an impressionistic medium that tends toward low contrast and
muted colors."
That this ain't necessarily so I have, perhaps tiresomely, pointed out on
every possible occasion. But when he also says "details may be softened
and outlines diffused" by choice of paper, I suspect the foil makes the
diffusion of rough paper moreso.
Which leads to the fact that if Phil could bring himself to buy some UV
bulbs (BL, *not* BLB, which are 3 times the price for little more than
half the light), he could eliminate that foil and donate the 11 leftover
fixtures to a deserving orphanage.
PS. Sam also has a lovely color casein print in the gum article and even
17-shooter Davis has beautiful gum prints of his own, so go figure.
Anyway, buy the issue; show that alt-photo sells.
Judy