Liquid emulsion lesson

 

We'll be printing B&W negative using the liquid emulsion paper you prepped months ago. Ideally you'll either use, your best medium format negatives or your best 35mm film negatives. You've only prepped a piece of paper that is approximately A3 in size, We advise that you cut this into 4 smaller pieces (approximately A5) and aim to to produce 2 good images.

If you're working with medium format you'll be in the darkroom with the big door  and if you're using 35mm negs the other darkroom (Small door). With this process there is no stop bath, the prints go from the developer straight into the fix. 

Use test strips, Set the enlargers aperture to f8 and use 5 seconds initially and see how that works out. The chemical is pre-graded and there should be no benefit from using the filter. If your images are flat, the only real adjustment is to shoot using far more contrasty film... Slower FP4+ or Kodak TMAX 100 or the Harmon 100 film. Or shoot using contrasty light.  

Dev 90 secs - Fix 4 mins. - wash 5 mins

Drip dry the prints on the window initially and then dry flat on old newspaper or similar to absorb the moisture in the print. Dry slowly. If you're presenting as a hard copy you might iron the prints flatter before mounting.? 

You'll need to scan the prints. Scan at 600 dpi for portfolio purposes and 100dpi to add to your design sheets.

As this is an In class task this work is the type of work that should be added to the new word document posted  above (Skills and Knowledge design sheet). Under the heading liquid emulsion.  Use images of your work and the stages involved along with explanations. 

*Remember. Once you've done this in-class task, the idea is you're supposed use the technique again (if appropriate) independently, e.g. treat and prepare you're own paper/support and try/experiment in conjunction with your own theme. In some instances this might be your final technique as it might suit your work and theme. This would potentially be the case if your theme was around 'Decay' or similar and would reinforce the fact that the work is 'Art Photography' potentially.