adventures in calotypes

[blindpig]

Gosh Ned, I hope you will keep posting here as well as the other site as I just hate to see f295 dry up altogether(hate giving up I guess),but that's just me...
Don

[Ned.Lewis]

Don, I'll keep posting here as long as it's here!

[Ned.Lewis]

Sometimes simple little things happen that are a big deal. I got a 7x11 Eastman No.2 camera, mainly to make calotypes. The first time I tried to use a calotype in it, the paper got caught when I put the darkslide back in, and it was pushed all the way out of the holder. I think this has really been worrying me in the back of my mind. Today I made another attempt, and this morning when I loaded the calotype into the holder I could see exactly what happened! There is a little lip for the film to go under on the end of the holder where the light seal is, where the darkslide goes in and out. As long as the paper is under that lip, there is no way it could be snagged by the darkslide. If the paper can slide down toward the other end, it can come out from under this lip, and that's what happened. Even though the holders are nominally 7x11 inches, the paper actually has to be very slightly less than 7" wide to slide in, and it would need to be slightly more than 11" long in order not to be able to slide down. A small piece of tape solved the problem and I made a calotype today with no trouble at all. Whew!! I was surprised at the big sense of relief I felt when it turned out to be something simple and easy to deal with.

The calotype is developed and washing right now, and I think it looks pretty good.

So there will be another calotype to show here in a couple days, and if I'm feeling ambitious, a salt print to go with it.

[blindpig]

Glad you worked out the problem and can't wait to see your results,keep up the good work....
I've hit a little snag with my carbon over water color print but will get back on it soon.Kinda' think I've stirred up some bad"MOJO" at the start of the year and would like for it to pass before continuing my tests.I really don't believe in that sort of thing buuut since Jan 1 we've replaced the ice maker in our fridge,the detergent dispenser in the dish washer and are awaiting the return of the repairman working on the clothes dryer,further yesterday received computer back from repair and also got car back having oil leak fixed annnd the hot water heater is making funny noises so I'm afraid to touch any of my photo stuff just in case LOL!

[Ned.Lewis]

Ha! Sometimes when things are going like that it's probably best to stay away from dangerous chemicals and UV lamps. I like to print sometimes after dinner, but I have a rule that if I'm tired I don't try any darkroom work. I cut a piece of rubylith today for salt printing this calotype, hopefully tomorrow!

[Ned.Lewis]

Here's the calotype I made yesterday morning. These "fairy rings" of redwood trees spring up on the remains of old trees, the baby trees tap into the roots of the "mother" tree. At one time there was probably a prehistoric giant standing on the same ground. Hope to make a salt print from this soon.

This is my first successful calotype from this camera.


Isle of Redwoods par Ned, on ipernity

[blindpig]

WOW!,Haven't made any calotype's but can't imagine any prettier image than that one and expect the print is going to be great as well.

[JoeVanCleave]

Ned, that's a nice image, hope to see the print soon.

Regarding loading paper into film holders, I'm reminded that, even with commercially made materials like Harman Direct Positive, you have to ensure the end of the paper opposite the dark slide goes all the way under the rear lip of the film slot, else the paper could interfere with the slide's reinsertion, due to the paper's natural curl.

But this is another one of those things that I enjoy about working with physical media, these little learnings of the craft that make interacting with the materials so satisfying.

~Joe

[Ned.Lewis]

Thanks Joe and Don.

That's right about the film holder. I've never had nice film holders before these and when I first started I discovered how important it is to have the paper seated properly at the end opposite the dark slide too. The paper I use for these calotypes shrinks a little when it dries; I think that's why it didn't reach both ends.

I agree about working with physical materials, it's satisfying to learn all the ins and outs. This is most certainly a very "hands on" process.

I made the salt print today, and you can really tell it was thick fog! Will post it in the next couple days.

One thing about these Greenlaw process calotypes, most of the imperfections are light spots or even pinholes. You can see a bigger than usual patch in the middle of the upper part of the trees, and a partial pinhole up there too. I was able to touch it up with a pencil on the back. If the imperfections were black spots or dark areas that wouldn't be possible, but those haven't been a problem for me yet. I've read that black spots will appear if the sensitizer gets too weak and needs to be replenished, but I guess so far I'm replenishing it often enough.

[Ned.Lewis]

Redwoods in Fog par Ned, on ipernity