A Practical Manual of the Collodion Process, Giving in Detail a Method For Producing Positive and Negative Pictures on Glass and Paper.Humphrey, S. D. (Samuel Dwight)
Science
A Practical Manual of the Collodion Process, Giving in Detail a Method For Producing Positive and Negative Pictures on Glass and Paper.
Humphrey, S. D. (Samuel Dwight)
Ambrotype; Photography
The plate is now taken and laid, albumen side upwards, on the dipper, and
then lowered into the bath with one steady downward movement, where it is
allowed to remain one minute; it is then taken out, the excess of liquid
drained off, and placed on the fixing stand, with the albumen surface
uppermost, and a stream of water poured over it for at least one minute,
so as to remove every particle of the bath solution. This complete washing
is very necessary, in order to prevent stains in the after development,
which invariably takes place around the edges, if not thoroughly washed.
The plate having been thoroughly washed, is leaned against a wall to dry,
or if required for immediate exposure, may be dried on a plate of heated
metal or foot warmer, but in no case must the exposure in the camera take
place until the surface is thoroughly dry.
_Exposure in the Camera._[J]
[Footnote J: Remarks as to the selection of the view, &c., are not given,
as this can be effected by the individual taste of the operator, but care
must be taken that direct rays from the sun shall not fall on the lens or
enter the camera during the exposure of a plate.]
As has been before stated, this operation may take place immediately the
plate is thoroughly dry after being excited, or a fortnight may intervene
between the excitement and exposure, provided the plate is kept very
carefully excluded from light and any chemical or sulphurous vapors, in a
plate-box adapted for that purpose, with the sensitive surface towards the
back of the box. When the exposure is about to take place, or at any time
previously, the camera-backs may each have a plate placed in them ready
for exposure; to do this, the camera-back must be taken into the operating
room and the door closed, so as to exclude all white light. The hinged
flap of the camera back is opened, and the prepared plate laid, with its
sensitive surface downwards, or next the sliding flap, so that its corners
may rest on the silver wire corners of the plate frame previously placed
within the camera back ready to receive it. The hinged flap is now closed
and kept from opening by turning the flap button over it; the sliding
flap is examined to see that it is pushed closely down so as to guard any
access of light, and it is then ready to be placed in the camera, and
may be taken into the open air with impunity. Should the exposure not
take place immediately, or, should the camera back have to be carried any
distance, it is advisable either to wrap it up in black cloth, or secure
the flaps from the chance of coming open during transit, by a stout string
being tied around the back.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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