Liquid emulsion question

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The current issue of "Photo Techniques" has a rather compelling article about the use of liquid emulsion on water color paper. This is something I've been interesting in for some time, but have not tried. The article suggests using a product from Luminos inside of the the more usual "Liquid Light". Has anyone tried either of these? Is this a process that is easy or difficult to deal with? Any other words of wisdom to pass on?

thanks,

chuck k

-- chuck k (kleesattel@msn.com), August 22, 2000

Answers

The suggestion to try this was also in a German photo magazine some years ago. I remember a few things:

1) You can coat paper just like anything else. Water color paper is probably particularly suited because of its sizing. Paper with a prominent surface texture is said to give interesting effects.

2) Applying two coatings gives richer blacks.

3) Hardening the emulsion (e.g. by means of hardening fixer) is strongly recommended.

4) Use paper somewhat bigger than your intended image size. The rebate can be convenient when you flatten the print.

Hope this helps a bit.

-- Thomas Wollstein (thomas_wollstein@web.de), August 23, 2000.


Chuck, I don't have much experience with them, but have used them. One of the things that I have to take into account when working with Liquid Light is that I can only do it in the winter, because where I live the 'cold' tap water is too warm, and it will wash the emulsion right off the paper.

The other thing to consider is negative contrast. I think Liquid Light is basically a grade two. I think there are other emulsions out there that respond to variable contrast filters. Not sure which is which.

chris

-- Christian Harkness (chris.harkness@eudoramail.com), August 23, 2000.


I also read the article and am wondering if these prints can be washed enough to be archival. Apparently the emulsion will wash off if long wash is used but the heavy paper would most likely need a long wash. Anyone have experience with this? Bob

-- cyclone (rfinbob@aol.com), August 23, 2000.

I tried it and found it to be more contrasty than I expected if applied full strength (instead of diluted with water). It is a bromide emulsion and it responds very well to selenium toning. I strongly recommend using a hardener like Kodak F-6A, because if you don't the emulsion will probably wash off. That's what happened to me.

-- Ed Buffaloe (edbuffaloe@unblinkingeye.com), August 23, 2000.

I have actually been wanting to use this myself. Berrger and Cachet make variable contrast emulsions now. The Cachet company has a whole line of stuff, gelatin, emulsion ect. I have been wanting to go artsy and make my own paper also for another different look...Cheers

-- Scott Walton (scotlynn@shore.net), August 23, 2000.


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