I was expecting a much blacker image with just the Borax but there is a deep chocolate border. Admittedly its not rich but it is brown. I found the Borax for £2.17 for 750g in Boots which I thought quite reasonable.
Cheers
Phill
Nice work.
Kallitype, especially when toned with platinum, palladium or gold, is capable of very beautiful results.
In my experience Arches Aquarelle does not give good Dmax with kallitpe, unless you give it an acid pre-soak.
I must say I have been underwhelmed by the Arches Aquarelle with the Kallitypes and the Saltprints.
You mention an acid presoak, and I assume that the size or paper base is alkaline. If so , would that have an impact on the cyanotypes as well.
I will try a 3% citric acid pre-soak (I have a lot made up) and see if it makes a difference.
I have read your kallitype article many times and will try the sodium citrate when I can get hold of it.
Thanks to all for the comments
Phill
It is not tradition that secures the survival of our craft, its the craft that secures the survival of our traditions.
I must say I have been underwhelmed by the Arches Aquarelle with the Kallitypes and the Saltprints.
You mention an acid presoak, and I assume that the size or paper base is alkaline. If so , would that have an impact on the cyanotypes as well.
I will try a 3% citric acid pre-soak (I have a lot made up) and see if it makes a difference.
I have read your kallitype article many times and will try the sodium citrate when I can get hold of it.
Thanks to all for the comments
Phill
Phil,
Arches Aquarelle definitely appears to have an alkaline pH. An acid soak should improve its performance quite a bit with kallitype, or for that matter with Pt./Pd. I have not tried it with cyanotype, but all of the iron processes seem to like a slightly acidic paper.
Don't soak for too long, however, as the acid soak may break down the size, which result in a grainer, more textured look. But the size on Aquarelle is pretty tough, so maybe this won't happen.
Just completed my 2nd ever Kallitype session this evening and had some good results using the feedback from this thread. Thanks to all who have contributed - esp Sandy
I have attached the most sucsessful image as an example.
Process:
Firstly I have used a more contrasty neg, FP4 in Pyrocat-HD 2:2:100. Developed for 10 mins (SBR 7 - 8). (approx N - 1.5 estimated). Time based in Sandy Kings curve on Unblinkingeye for a 0.8 density Kallitype neg.
I used Arches Aquarelle paper as before but gave a provisional coating by foam brush of 3% citric acid to neutralise/acidify the paper. I did not apply size (gelatin) and relied on the original paper sizing. Exposure was 11 mins. Developed in 500 ml Borax with 6 drops K3Cr2O7 to increase local contrast slightly. Cleared in Ciitric acid and fixed in Ilford Fixer. The first print of this went blotchy and I narrowed this down to the fixer being to strong, so I diluted it to 1:19 and no more blotching. I am not sure if the fix is adequate but time will tell.
I can see a feint colouration where the sensitizer is not cleared fully but I think this is an feature of the paper. I cleared for 5 mins in Citric acid which should have removed it all.
Phill
Last edited by philldresser; 08-11-2006 at 08:29 PM. Click to view previous post history.
Reason: Wrong chemical!
It is not tradition that secures the survival of our craft, its the craft that secures the survival of our traditions.
Just completed my 2nd ever Kallitype session this evening and had some good results using the feedback from this thread. Thanks to all who have contributed - esp Sandy
~John~
-------------------------- www.johnbrewerphotography.com
There are 10 types of people in this world - those who understand binary and those who don't.
Adv Reply
Originally Posted by philldresser
