Re: photogravure

Dear Eric,
Thanks so much for your information.

> I haven't done it, but photo-etching doesn't produce the same richness
> in tone. The potassium dichromate used in photogravure is carcinogenic,
> and is particularly dangerous in its dry form, less so when mixed,
> so your teacher probably won't let you do photogravure, either.
>
> > I am thinking about if it is possible to exposure
> > the copper plate (for photogravures) directly with my pinhole camera...
>
> I've had the same idea, although what you would expose would be the
> sensitized gelatin sheet, not the plate, and I imagine that the exposure
> times would be hours long.

Take care when handling with the chemicals. I think I can't do it again if
it is dangerous. My lung (left side) has collapsed into a small size ( like
an orange), I have to sit on the bed of the hospital for 7 days without
sleeping because of the painful... After that I avoid handle any poison
chemical and seldom do printing making. I change to taking pinhole
photography as it is rather simply and healthy, also during the process,
other people can enjoy with you ;-)
I use the same materials and method in preparing a copper plate for intaglio
to make the name plate of the Zero 69 camera.

> I've actually registered the domain name photogravure.org and am hoping
> to put a simple site together as I produce my next round of prints.
Remember to let me know when your site is ready, I am still interesting in
explore this special technique and see more images.

> Are any of your mezzotints available for viewing on the web? I know
> several collectors here in the Bay Area who collect mezzotints almost
> exclusively. It is another process with beautiful results.

I don't post any of the mezzotint on the web as the
monitor is not able to show the beautiful details of the mezzotint. All the
details are lost. If you are interesting, I can scan some of them and send
it to you offlist.

Also thanks for Colin's information. My teach study print making in Japan
for many years.
For mezzotint, the very thin paper from Japan is a must for us. Our only
source is our teacher who bought it from Japan during his trips to Japan.

It seems that ancient printing method is the Father of the ancient
photography method-Pinhole Photography :0)

Sorry if this topic is a bit off-topic.

Zernike
Received on Fri Sep 28 03:49:18 2001