Printing Out Frames... I might make some..

[dwross]

The conversation here made me realize I should probably put together a short piece about contact printing glass plates. I'm genuinely excited about David's proposed frames. I'm always uncomfortable encouraging people to try something that will require a lot of luck on ebay to get into, but little by little, we all seem to be coming together to reinvent handcrafted photography for the 21st century. Very cool.

http://www.thelightfarm.com/Map/Over...CT_GLASS_PLATE

[vickersdc]

Denise,

Interesting point that you make - and it's something that I'm beginning to notice too; people are coming together to bring back the traditional methods, perhaps in a stance against the modern world? Either way, I believe there's a resurgence and it was one of the reasons why I had started Creative Image Maker.

A short piece about contact printing glass plates would be great to read!

As for this printing frame, I'm thinking about putting a leather handle on the side, held in with matching brass knobs - that way you can carry it around, or hang it up when not in use. The brass is done already and the leather is sitting on my dining room table waiting for me to cut it! Pictures to follow...

Cheers,
David.

[dwross]

Hi David,

The link above (http://www.thelightfarm.com/Map/Over...CT_GLASS_PLATE) is about as short a piece as I'm capable of writing but hopefully long enough to do the job. It's hard to know how much to write in a word-saturated world.
d

p.s. A handle is a very clever idea. Make it compact. Some UV printing boxes are already space-challenged for their intended printing frame size.

[michaelbsc]

... little by little, we all seem to be coming together to reinvent handcrafted photography for the 21st century.

This is exactly what I came to realize in the past couple of years, too. When I first started getting back into photography after a long absense (you know, raising kids, ya-da, ya-da, ya-da) I would occassionally pop into Wal-mart and pick up a couple of rolls of film. Most of them had Plus-X and Tri-X 135 hanging on the peg. Then it stopped being there.

I never found roll film at Wal-mart, but used to pop in Ritz Camera to pick up a few rolls. Then Ritz Camera, the only *CAMERA* store around, wasn't even carrying roll film on the shelf one day.

I was shocked!

Since then I've started looking at everything from silver recover to hand coating paper, with coating plates further into the future for me.

This suits my wife fine, since she's interested in the craft aspect.

I haven't gotten too far into it, because I can still find commercial products for my hobby, but I realize the day is coming when I'll have to make it myself.

I fully expect that if we're still doing this in 25 more years we'll be making at least 50% of our own materials.

MB

[vickersdc]

I've not able to progress the printing frame much this week, but I have just been out to the workshop to make the handle for it. The leather handle is held in place with two knurled brass knobs, in a similar style to the main ones on the back (only slightly smaller).

Note: this isn't finished, I'm hoping to clean them up properly on Monday.

Cheers,
David.

[vickersdc]

I've been able to spend an hour or so out in the workshop and have now made the back plates, and attached the stainless steel leaf springs. I've also cut the glass for the front, and it can be removed and a 5x7 glass negative put it it's place instead. Here's the latest picture...



Still to do... fit the hinges between the back plates, glue on the felt and then polish / finish everything off.

Cheers,
David.

[vickersdc]

I've recessed the hinges and screwed them on, and glued on the black felt; here's a couple of snaps of the finished product (with the exception of polishing the brass knobs that hold the handle on)...

It's been great fun making this up, from turning the brass rod to make the various knobs, to cutting the glass and jointing / shaping the wood. Now I need to start on the next one...

[2F/2F]

Good job.

Does it work?

How much would you charge for the prototype or a reproduction?

[Steve Smith]

Looks perfect. Have you tried it yet?


Steve.

[Jerevan]

Looks great! When does the big production line start?