Printing gone disastrous
The printing frame was left with the sensitized salted paper in contact with the calotype negaive for a few hours on my terrace. Little did I know, that while I was in the basement darkroom it started to rain. Though the frame was not totally unprotected the wind direction made some rain come on the frame and inside it. The thin calotype paper got wet and being pressed wrinkles appeared immediately as the swelling paper was also restricted and got wet in the upper half mostly. The contact with salted paper released the chemistry which got into the calotype negative causing yellowing. I conducted a rescue operation and think I saved it by minimising the damage.
The rescue operation:
1. put in a water bath immediately for about 30 min in subdued light.
This, to make the paper relax fully all over and release the water soluble discoloration which comes from contact with other materials, including the wooden frame
2. refix for 2 min in fresh hypo. In case the calotype negative sucked in chemistry from the saltprint paper it could have become light sensitive. Refixing may also help remove some of the yellow/brown discoloration
3. wash for 2 hrs. This was done to make sure all hypo is removed and if any other watersoluble substances were in the paper.
Canosn Marker layout is a strong paper and survives all this remarkably well, if this was Hahnehühlle paper I would have more trouble with distortions and possibly tears
4. air drying hanged up and weighted to stretch the calotype lightly when drying.
5. pressing in hard press put between two pieces of clean archival (unbuffered) pieces of mat board. My newly acqured press has proved incredibly useful.
The rsult is a flat calotype with light yellow staing seen in low density areas of the tree and the top of the building. Just printed from the rescued calotype and see no serious failure. I have a feeling that if this was a glass plate negative I would not be able to save it.
Cheers and skål for paper negatives!
Printing gone disastrous
The printing frame was left with the sensitized salted paper in contact with the calotype negaive for a few hours on my terrace. Little did I know, that while I was in the basement darkroom it started to rain. Though the frame was not totally unprotected the wind direction made some rain come on the frame and inside it. The thin calotype paper got wet and being pressed wrinkles appeared immediately as the swelling paper was also restricted and got wet in the upper half mostly. The contact with salted paper released the chemistry which got into the calotype negative causing yellowing. I conducted a rescue operation and think I saved it by minimising the damage.
The rescue operation:
1. put in a water bath immediately for about 30 min in subdued light.
This, to make the paper relax fully all over and release the water soluble discoloration which comes from contact with other materials, including the wooden frame
2. refix for 2 min in fresh hypo. In case the calotype negative sucked in chemistry from the saltprint paper it could have become light sensitive. Refixing may also help remove some of the yellow/brown discoloration
3. wash for 2 hrs. This was done to make sure all hypo is removed and if any other watersoluble substances were in the paper.
Canosn Marker layout is a strong paper and survives all this remarkably well, if this was Hahnehühlle paper I would have more trouble with distortions and possibly tears
4. air drying hanged up and weighted to stretch the calotype lightly when drying.
5. pressing in hard press put between two pieces of clean archival (unbuffered) pieces of mat board. My newly acqured press has proved incredibly useful.
The rsult is a flat calotype with light yellow staing seen in low density areas of the tree and the top of the building. Just printed from the rescued calotype and see no serious failure. I have a feeling that if this was a glass plate negative I would not be able to save it.
Cheers and skål for paper negatives!