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!J  C 13  ^ 


THE  OXYMEL  PROCESS  IN 

^i)otograpl)^ 

BY  PHILIP  H.  DELAMOTTE  F.S.A. 

PROFESSOR  OF  DRAWING  IN 


LONDON 

CHAPMAN  AND  HALL  PICCADILLY 


MDCCCLVI, 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2016 


https://archive.org/details/oxymelprocessinpOOdela 


THE  OXYMEL  PROCESS  IN 
PHOTOGRAPHY. 

HE  Oxymel  Procefs,  recently  an- 
nounced by  Mr.  Llewelyn,  of 
Penllergare,  is  undoubtedly  the 
molt  valuable  difcovery  in  the  art 
of  Photography,  that  has  been  made  lince 
Mr.  Scott  Archer  introduced  Collodion. 

By  the  help  of  Oxymel,  all  the  beautiful 
delicacy  of  the  fineft  Collodion  pictures  may 
be  obtained,  with  the  convenience  of  the  paper 
procefs,  and  with  much  more  certainty,  and 
much  greater  eafe. 

Tourifts  may  take  a dozen  or  two  plates, 
ready  prepared,  and  during  a week  or  a fort- 
night may  expofe  them  in  the  camera  as  they 
may  require,  and  in  the  evening  or  even  in  a 
day  or  two  afterwards  may  develop  the  pic- 
tures they  have  obtained  at  their  convenience. 


4 

The  Oxymel  Procefs 

I may  as  well  fiate  at  once,  to  remove  any 
mifapprehenfion,  that  I have  tried  this  new 
procefs  myfelf  many  times ; that  I have  feen 
others  try  it,  and  that  if  the  necefiary  pre- 
cautions are  obferved,  it  does  not  admit  of 
failure. 

Mr.  Llewelyn  went  through  a courfe  of 
many  hundred  experiments  before  he  arrived 
at  a fatisfadtory  conclufion,  and  I am  warranted 
in  faying,  that  little  or  no  improvement  can 
be  made  on  the  exadt  formula  which  he  has 
promulgated,  and  which  under  his  inftruc- 
tions  I have  myfelf  been  working  with. 

Although  great  care  and  great  cleanlinefs 
are  necefiary  to  fuccefs  in  the  ufual  Collodion 
procefs,  it  is  indifpenfable  that  there  be  ftill 
much  more  care  and  much  more  cleanlinefs 
in  the  ufe  of  Oxymel.  The  leaf!  decompo- 
fition  fet  up  while  the  plate  is  in  the  Aide, 
or  the  leafi  ray  of  light  falling  on  the  fenfitive 
furface  is  wholly  fatal.  If  the  glafs  be  touched 
by  fingers  contaminated  with  chemicals — if 
the  camera  and  the  Aide  be  not  perfedtly  con- 
Arudted — if  the  top  of  the  Aide  when  the 
Ai utter  is  raifed  be  not  protedted  from  the  _ 
light  by  a cloth — or  in  fadt  if  any  one  of  the 

in  Photography . 

5 

ufual  precautions  be  negledted — then  the 
chances  are  great  that  the  operator  will  be 
completely  foiled,  and  that  he  will  confe- 
quently  entertain  a bad  opinion  of  Oxymel. 
Let  fuch  operator  be  allured  that  the  fault  lies 
in  himfelf,  and  not  in  the  procefs. 

Oxymel  (o£vc  acid,  / ueXi  honey'),  for  the 
purpofe  of  Photography  fhould  be  manufac- 
tured of 

Acetic  Acid  . . 7 fluid  ounces, 

Diftilled  water  . 8 flqid  ounces. 

Honey  (defpumated)  5 pounds  ; 

Mix  the  Acid  added  to  the  water  with  the 
Honey  made  hot. 

It  fhould  be  filtered  till  it  is  quite  clear,  and 
free  from  any  cloudinefs  or  fediment.  It  can 
be  obtained  of  molt  Photographic  Chemifts, 
but  feveral  houfes*  have  undertaken  to  fup- 
ply  it  in  its  purefl:  poflible  Hate,  and  from 
the  formula  above  given. 

It  will  be  better  that  I fhould  defcribe  the 
exadt  method  of  procedure  from  beginning 
to  end,  and  this  will  neceflarily  include  the 
ordinary  Collodion  procefs. 

* See  advertifements  at  the  end. 

The  Oxymel  Procefs 


PREPARATION  OF  THE 
CHEMICALS,  Etc. 


The  Nitrate  of  Silver  Bath. 

(30  grains  to  1 oz.  of  water.) 

O make  a Bath  fufficient  for  a plate 
of  glafs  ten  inches  by  eight,  about 
forty  ounces  will  be  needed. 

Take 

Nitrate  of  Silver  oz.~[ 

Diftilled  water  5 oz J 

Take 

Iodide  of  Potaffium  8 gr.) 

Diftilled  water  \ oz  J 
Pour  the  Iodide  into  the  Nitrate  folution, 
and  fhake  it  until  the  precipitate  (iodide  of 


in  Photography . 

7 

filver)  thus  formed  is  entirely  rediflolved. 
Then  add  34  oz.  of  diftilled  water.  Let  it 
ftand  all  night,  and  then  add  2 drachms  of 
the  beft  alcohol.  Filter  it  with  prepared  fil- 
tering-paper, and  the  bath  is  then  ready  for 
ufe.  This  folution,  if  kept  quite  clean,  will 
remain  in  good  order  for  years.  Whenever 
it  is  not  perfectly  clear,  it  muft  be  again  fil- 
tered. 

The  Collodion. 

I have  not  yet  found  any  fuperior  to  that 
made  by  Mr.  R.  Thomas.  It  is  almoft  in- 
difpenfable  that  it  fhould  be  iodifed  (according 
to  the  prefcribed  form)  at  leaft  two  days  be- 
fore it  is  wanted  for  ufe.  For  landfcapes  it 
is  better  when  a week  old,  and  for  copying 
engravings  when  it  has  been  iodifed  for  at  leaft; 
a month.  I would  recommend  thofe  who  are 

conftantly  praftifing  photography  to  begin  by 
buying  two  pints,  and  as  foon  as  the  firft  pint 
is  exhaufted,  to  purchafe  another,  fo  as  always 
to  have  a fupply  in  ftock  that  is  not  newly 
made.  Uniodifed  collodion,  like  port  wine, 
is  all  the  better  for  keeping,  and  by  adopting 

8 

The  Oxymel  Procefs 

ounces 

my  recommendation,  a photographer  may  fave 
himfelf  much  vexation.* 

The  Oxymel. 

When  wanted  for  ufe  dilute  it  in  this  pro- 
portion : — 

Oxymel  . tsaz. 

--Diftilled  water  /^oz. 

V 

, HFilter  it  through  fine  blotting  paper  until 
) the  fyrup  becomes  perfectly  clear. 

<■  Ofoi  $r2ttn 

' ' ^e^tlution. 

I cannot  find  any  better  proportions  than 

Pyrogallic  Acid  c grains  1 . , 

J.  P,  . . . . . , , mix  and 

Glacial  Acetic  Acid  i drachm  t r, 

r^-n-n  j filter 

Dntuled  water  2 oz.  1 

When  wanted  for  ufe  mix  in  a 4 oz.  glafs 
meafure  one-third  of  this  folution  with  two- 
thirds  of  filtered  water, 'keeping  the  flronger 

* My  ufual  plan  is  to  iodife  about  6 oz.  of  Collodion  at 
a time — I fhake  it  well  and  then  ftand  it  afide  for  two  or 
three  days,  and  for  ufe  pour  about  three  or  four  ounces 
into  a fmaller  wide  mouthed  bottle  without  difturbing 
any  fediment.  There  are  obvious  advantages  in  this  plan. 

in  Photography . 

9 

folution  in  a large  bottle  for  occafional  ufe 
when  fome  parts  of  the  pidture,  towards  the 
clofe  of  the  developing,  require  more  ener- 
getic treatment. 

The  Fixing  Solution. 

I still  adhere  to  a faturated  folution  of hypo- 
fulphite  of  foda ; but  I find  many  of  my 
friends  ufe  cyanide  of  potaflium  (a  molt  deadly 
poifon)  in  the  following  proportions  : — 
Cyanide  of  Potaflium  io  grains 

Filtered  water  i oz. 

B 


1 o 


The  Oxymel  Procej 


THE  GLASS  PLATES. 

T is  befb  to  prepare  a number  of 
glafs  plates  at  once,  but  it  muft 
be  borne  in  mind  that  ordinary 
cleanfing  will  not  fuffice.  Take 
half  a dozen  (or  a dozen)  glafles  of  good 
quality,  and  with  a piece  of  fand-ftone, — with 
notch  cut  in  it  to  the  depth  of  the  eighth  of 
an  inch, — rough  the  furface  of  the  glafs  on 
each  fide  to  the  fmallefi:  pofiible  extent  all 
round  the  edges.  This  is  to  caufe  the  col- 
lodion to  adhere  more  fecurely  to  the  plate, 
fo  that  in  the  repeated  walhings  it  may  not  be 
torn. 

Make  a folution  of 
Ammonias  Liquor 
Tripoli 
Clean  water 


h oz-  | 

-t  drachm  mix 

3oz.  J 


in  Photography. 

T I 

and  with  a linen  rag  rub  it  hard  over  all  the 
plates  and  fet  them  afide.  Then  taking  each 
glafs  in  fucceffion  dip  it  into  a large  bafin  or 
tray  of  water,  and  with  a clean  linen  rag  rub 
off  all  the  tripoli  and  fet  the  plate  up  to  drain. 
Repeat  this  a fecond  time  with  the  cleaned: 
water  and  the  cleaned:  linen  rag  ; and  as  each 
glafs  is  dipped,  with  a proper  fupply  of  clean 
linen  cloth,*  rub  it  quite  dry  and  place  it  in  the 
plate  box,  at  the  bottom  of  which  it  is  ad- 
vifable  to  lay  two  or  three  folds  of  blotting 
paper. 

There  are  many  fubftitutes  for  the  ammonia 
and  tripoli  fuch  as  pearl-afh,  a weak  folution 
of  cyanide  of  potadium,  any  of  which  will 
anfwer  the  purpofe  if  the  plates  be  well  rubbed 
with  the  detergent,  and  then  well  rinfed  in  pure 
water  as  I have  defcribed. 

* Thefe  cloths  mull  not  be  wafhed  with  foap. 

I 2 


The  Oxymel  Procefs 


OXYMEL  PROCESS. 

Preparation  of  the  Glafs  Plate. 

S I have  before  faid,  it  is  beft  to 
prepare  half  a dozen  or  more 
plates  at  a time,  as  they  will  keep 
when  coated  with  oxymel,  for  a 
week  or  fortnight  without  any  deterioration. 
It  is  of  the  utmoft  importance  that  the  room 
in  which  the  following  operations  are  per- 
formed fhould  be  perfedbly  clean  and  free 
from  any  duft.  The  following  preparations 
will  be  needed  : — 

Nitrate  of  Silver  bath. 

Iodifed  Collodion,  at  leaf!  two  days  old. 

Oxymel  (diluted)  in  a gutta  percha  tray 
a little  larger  than  the  glafs  plate. 

Diftilled  water,  an  abundance  of. 

A fecond  gutta  percha  or  porcelain  tray. 

Blotting  paper. 


in  Photography 


*3 


Lay  a cleaned  glafs-plate  down  on  a flat 
furface  covered  with  a clean  cloth,  and  with 
a pneumatic  holder,  fuch  as  is  now  fold  by 


molt  dealers*  in  photographic  materials,  take 
it  up,  and  with  a filk  handkerchief  rub  the 
furface  until  a light  breath  upon  it  flies  off  in 
a moment.  Coat  the  plate  with  collodion  in 
the  ufual  way,  but  take  care  that  the  furface 
is  covered  in  every  part ; if  a corner  be  left, 
water  may  get  under  the  collodion  and  caufe 
ferious  inconvenience.  As  foon  as  the  col- 
lodion film  is  fet,  plunge  the  plate  into  the 
Nitrate  bath  ; and  from  this  time  take  the 
greatefl:  care  that  no  ray  of  light  enters  the 
dark  room.  If  the  fun  fhould  fhine  upon 
the  window,  it  is  neceflary  to  fhade  it  with  at 


BOLTON 


* See  advertifements  at  the  end. 


i4 

The  Oxymel  Procefs 

leaft  five  or  fix  thicknefles  of  yellow  calico ; 
otherwife  three  are  fufficient. 

When  the  collodion  plate  has  remained  two 
minutes  in  the  Nitrate  bath,  raife  it  and  lower 
it  till  the  furface  is  quite  free  from  any  ftreaky 
appearance,  and  then  allow  the  nitrate  of  filver 
to  drain  off  into  the  bath  until  it  ceafes  to 
drip.  Next  lay  the  glafs  plate,  collodion-fide 
upwards,  in  a tray  of  diftilled  water,  and  let  it 
be  for  two  or  three  minutes ; then  pour  off"  the 
water,  repeat  the  wafhing,  and  drain  the  plate 
pretty  clofely.  Tilt  the  tray  containing  the 

oxymel  with  a wedge,  lay  the  plate  with  its 
back  upon  the  tray,  and  at  the  fame  moment 
withdraw  the  wedge.  This  will  caufe  the 
oxymel  to  flow  over  the  furface  in  one  even 
wave,  and  this  is  of  importance,  as  any  uneven- 
nefs  would  tend  to  fpoil  the  pidlure.  Let  the 
plate  lie  in  the  oxymel  for  two  minutes  ; then 
tilt  the  tray  again,  and  with  great  care  lift 

in  Photography . 


the  plate,  and  allow  as  much  of  the  fluid  to 
run  off  as  is  convenient ; then  fet  up  the  plate 
on  a piece  of  blotting  paper  to  drain ; and 
when  the  next  glafs  is  ready,  remove  it  to  a 
fhelf  lined  with  blotting  paper,  where  it  may 
remain  till  all  are  prepared. 


When  all  the  plates  have  been  thus  treated, 
and  the  lafl;  has  had  fufficient  time  to  drain, 
place  them  in  a plate  box,*  lined  with  blotting 
paper  at  the  bottom,  and  keep  them  where  it 
is  utterly  impoflible  for  light  to  get  to  them.'f' 

* Mr.  Ottewill  has  invented  a very  convenient  dark 
box,  which  will  contain  as  many  plates  as  are  required ; 
and  which  fits  into  the  back  of  the  Camera  in  fuch  a way 
that  feveral  piftures  may  be  taken  without  the  neceflity  of 
having  any  dark  chamber. — See  advertifement  at  end. 

f Turn  the  plate  box  in  fuch  a way  that  the  plates 
lie  on  their  backs,  and  take  care  the  film  is  not  torn  in 
putting  them  in  or  taking  them  out. 


i6 

The  Oxymel  Procefs 

If  all  free  nitrate  of  filver  is  wafhed  off 
the  plates  before  they  are  immerfed  in  the 
oxymel  it  will  keep  for  a confiderable  time, 
and  may  be  ufed  over  and  over  again.  Should 
the  oxymel  become  much  difcoloured,  it  would 
be  better  to  procure  a frelh  fupply. 

Expofure  in  the  Camera. 

Collodion  plates  preferved  with  oxymel 
have  been  kept  for  more  than  a fortnight,  and 
yet  perfed  pidlures  have  been  obtained  upon 
them.  At  what  time  they  would  become 
valuelefs,  would  depend,  I apprehend,  chiefly 
on  the  ftate  of  the  weather. 

When  wanted  for  ufe,  great  care  muft  be 
taken  that  thofe  parts  of  the  camera-flide, 
which  the  glafs  plates  touch,  are  well  var- 
nifhed ; and  even  then  it  would  add  to  the 
fecurity  of  the  plate  if  fmall  pieces  of  blotting 
paper  were  fixed  in  the  corners  of  the  frame 
in  fuch  a way  that  the  glafles  cannot  touch 
the  wood  in  any  part. 

The  time  of  expofure  for  an  oxymel-plate 
may  be  faid  to  be  five  times  that  required, 
for  the  ufual  collodion  procefs.  Dark  obje&s. 

in  Photography. 

l7 

fuch  as  trees  in  the  foreground,  will  want  as 
much  as  ten  minutes’  expofure  with  a Rofs’s 
Landfcape  Lens,  three  inches  in  diameter  with 
a diaphragm  of  i of  an  inch.  A houfe  in  fun- 
lhine  or  a diftant  landfcape  will  of  courfe 
require  much  lefs  time  : but  as  all  Photo- 
graphers well  know,  it  is  utterly  impoffible 
to  lay  down  any  certain  rules.  Every  one 
mull:  be  guided  by  experience. 

Development  of  the  Image. 

The  Oxymel  plate  may  be  developed  at  lei- 
fure.  It  will  keep  good  after  expofure  for 
feveral  days.  Take  great  care  that  no  white 
light  enters  your  dark  room,  and  that  it  is  not 
dully. 

Be  careful  not  to  break  the  edge  of  the 
collodion  film  as  you  take  out  the  plate.  Lay 
it  on  the  levelling  Hand  and  cover  it  well  with 
clean  water,  which  may  be  immediately  poured 
off.  Take  the  ufual  llrength  of  developing 
folution,  add  a few  drops  of  Nitrate  of  Silver 
from  the  Bath,*  and  mix  it  well ; pour  this 
evenly  over  the  furface,  and  continue  the  de- 

* It  is  better  to  keep  a fmall  bottle  ready  for  this  ufe. 

c 


The  Oxymel  Procefs 


velopment  for  fome  time  longer  than  is  ufual 
with  the  ordinary  procefs.  The  image  ought 
to  appear  as  vigorous  and  intenfe  as  in  a wet 
collodion  pidture  taken  under  the  fame  cir- 
cumftances. 

Fixing  the  Image. 

When  the  image  is  brought  out  enough,  wafh 
the  plate  freely  with  water,  and  fix  it  either 
with  a faturated  folution  of  Hypofulphite  of 
foda,  or  Cyanide  of  Potaffium  mixed  in  the 
proportion  of  i o grains  to  an  ounce  of  water. 
When  the  Iodide  of  Silver  is  all  dilfolved, 
wafh  the  plate  for  fome  two  or  three  minutes 
with  an  abundance  of  water,  and  fet  it  up  to 
drain  upon  a piece  of  blotting  paper. 

Varnifh  in g the  Plate. 

When  the  film  is  perfectly  dry,  with  a moifl: 
cloth  remove  the  edge  of  the  film  where  the 
glafs  has  been  ground,  for  about  one-eighth 
of  an  inch  all  round  and  varnifh  in  the  ufual 
way.  I prefer  the  French  varnifh  fold  by 
Gaudin  and  Co. 


PHOTOGRAPHY  BY  CANDLE- 
LIGHT. 

S many  Amateurs  in  Photography 
have  but  little  fpare  time  during 
the  day  in  which  they  can  pradtife 
the  various  procefles,  I think  the 
following  fuggeftion  may  be  found  ufeful : — 
Take  three  millboards,  about  twelve  inches 
high  by  nine  inches  wide,  and  cut  out  a large 
piece,  fay  eight  inches  by  five  inches  from 
the  centre  of  each.  Lay  all  three  boards  clofe 
together  fide  by  fide,  and  having  palled  or 
glued  them  well,  cover  them  entirely  with 


20 

The  Oxymel  Procefs 

two  thicknefles  of  yellow  calico.  Ornament 
them  in  any  way  you  pleafe  on  the  other 
fide.  When  fet  up  fo  as  to  form  a triangle 
this  makes  a moft  excellent  Photographic 
lantern*  in  which  a candle  may  be  placed,  and 
by  the  light  of  which  all  the  manipulations  of 
the  Oxymel  procefs  may  fafely  be  conduced. 
When  not  in  ufe  this  lantern  will  fold  up  and 
make  a very  good  portfolio  for  paper,  &c. 

* Thefe  lanterns  are  fold,  ready  made. — See  adver- 
tifement  at  end. 

in  Photography. 


THE  PRINTING  PROCESS. 

one  of  the  Committee  appointed 
by  the  Photographic  Society  to 
enquire  into  the  belt  method  of 
printing  and  preferving  Photo- 
graphs, I have  lately  devoted  much  attention 
to  the  fubjeft.  With  the  able  afliftance  of  Mr. 
Hardwich,  the  Committee  have  been  enabled 
to  determine  fatisfadtorily,  that,  by  the  ufe  of 
proper  precautions,  photographic  prints  may 
be  rendered  quite  as  permanent  as  water- 
colour drawings  or  copper-plate  engravings. 
Even  thefe  will  become  faded  and  difcoloured 
if  they  are  fubjedled  to  damp  or  the  bright 
glare  of  the  fun, — and  fo  doubtlefs  will  the 
belt  printed  photographs, — but  no  one  ever 
allows  a valued  drawing  to  be  ferved  thus,  and 
a photograph  requires  to  be  treated  with  the 
fame  care  as  a drawing. 


22 

The  Printing  Procefs 

I adhere  to  three  methods  of  printing,  two 
of  which  I have  long  praCtifed,  and  which 
always  give  me  fatisfaCtory  refults,  when  I 
take  pains.  I fay  this,  for  I really  find  that 
the  fame  watchful  care  is  neceflary  in  the 
printing  of  even  one  good  impreffion,  as  is 
wanted  in  the  production  of  a firft-clafs  nega- 
tive. 

On  Albumenized  Paper. 

No  better  paper  than  Canfon’s  has  yet  been 
fupplied  to  photographers.  I more  frequently 
ufe  the  thin  fort,  termed  the  “ Negative  it 
has  a finer  furface,  gives  brighter  pictures,  and 
is  lels  expenfive,  but  it  is  more  eafily  torn. 

To  albumenize  this  paper,  I find  it  ufually 
more  convenient  to  cut  it  in  half. 

Into  a clean  white  bafin  with  a lip,  put 
Chloride  of  Sodium  200  grains^  , 

Diftilled  Water  10  oz.  J ° V 

and  add 

Whites  of  frefh  Eggs  10. 

Beat  this  well  up  into  a froth  with  a bunch 
of  quills  or  a wooden  fork,  then  filter  it 
through  a piece  of  fine  muflin  to  get  rid  of 

in  Photography. 

23 

the  fcum,  and  let  it  ftand  for  a few  hours, 
protected  from  duft,  until  it  becomes  per- 
feiftly  clear.  When  wanted  for  ufe,  re-filter 
as  much  as  is  required  and  pour  it  into  a flat 
porcelain  difh,  a little  larger  than  the  paper. 
Look  carefully  through  all  the  fheets  of  paper 
you  are  about  to  albumenize,  and  with  a pen- 
cil mark  the  fmooth  fide  (all  papers  have 
one  fide  fmoother  than  the  other).  Take 
the  paper  fheet  by  fheet,  fold  back  about  a 
quarter  of  an  inch  of  one  corner,  and  float  the 
fmooth  fide  upon  the  albumen,  placing  one 
end  of  the  paper  on  firft  and  gradually  de- 
prefling it  until  it  all  lies  upon  the  albumen, 
and  taking  great  care  to  avoid  air  bubbles ; — 
let  it  lie  for  a minute  or  two,  until  it  becomes 
perfectly  flat,  then  raife  it  quickly  by  the 
turned-up  corner  ; let  the  albumen  drain  off, 
and  then  hang  the  paper  up  by  two  corners 
in  fome  warm  room  to  dry.  When  all  the 
fheets  are  albumenized,  and  all  are  perfectly 
dried,  place  them  evenly  and  carefully  be- 
tween two  boards,  lay  a weight  upon  them, 
and  there  let  them  be  until  they  are  wanted 
for  ufe.  It  is  not  neceflary  to  apply  a heated 
iron,  as  fome  photographers  recommend. 

24 

The  Printing  Procefs 

1 

I excite  this  paper  by  floating  it,  in  the 
ufual  way,  upon  a bath  confiding  of 

Nitrate  of  Silver  60  grains"),,  n-  . 

Drilled  Water  i oz.  jdlilolve- 

This  mull  be  done  in  a yellow  light.  Let  the 
paper  (cut  to  the  required  fize)  remain  about 
two  minutes  upon  the  bath,  then  drain  it  and 
hang  it  up  to  dry  by  means  of  a wooden  clip 
holding  it  at  one  corner.  If  you  are  printing 
extenfively,I  would  advife  that  trays  be  placed 
under  the  paper  to  catch  the  Nitrate  of  Silver 
that  drips  from  them.  I have  found  this  a 
great  faving,  efpecially  when  I have  been 
fenfitizing  large  fheets  of  paper.  When  the 
folution  of  Nitrate  of  Silver  has  become  dis- 
coloured, it  may  be  filtered  through  powdered 
pipe-clay  and  reftored  to  its  original  clearnefs. 

When  dry,  the  paper  is  now  ready  for  ex- 
posure to  light : — clean  the  glafs  of  the  pref- 
fure  frame  well  upon  both  fides,  and  if  you 
are  not  provided  with  a pad  of  fmooth  felt, 
which  I find  the  beft  thing,  fold  a few  Sheets 
of  blotting  paper  to  nearly  the  fize  of  the 
preflure  frame  glafs.  Take  out  the  back- 
board,  lay  the  negative,  face  upwards,  upon 
the  glafs  ; place  the  paper,  albumenized  fide, 

in  Photography. 

25 

upon  it,  cover  thefe  with  the  felt,  and  then 
replace  the  back-board,  and  fcrew  it  evenly 
till  it  is  quite  tight.  It  is  now  ready  to  be 
expofed  to  the  light,  either  in  the  fun  or  in  the 
fhade,  according  to  circumftances.  The  pref- 
fure  frame  fhould  have  a hinged  back-board, 
which  allows  you  to  look  at  one  half  of  the 
pidture  without  difturbing  the  other  half ; 
when  the  edges  of  the  paper,  which  ufually 
projedt  beyond  the  negative,  have  become 
darkened,  examine  the  pidture  to  fee  if  it  be 
fufficiently  printed  ; if  not,  let  it  remain  till  it 
alfumes  a rather  deeper  tone  than  that  you 
would  like.  An  under-expofed,  or  any  weak 
or  thin-looking  negative  will  print  bell  in  the 
lhade ; but  it  is  difficult  to  give  any  precife  rule 
in  this  matter,  it  is  better  to  try  both  ways. 

When  the  pidture  is  fufficiently  printed, 
remove  it  carefully  from  the  frame — for  if 
you  pull  it  off  violently,  you  will  often  fpoil 
the  negative — and  place  it  in  a colouring  bath 
made  in  the  following  way  : — 
f lypofulphite  of  Soda  8 oz.  | ^jq'0jve 

Clean  Water  . 8 oz.  J 

Chloride  of  Gold  8 grains 

Clean  Water  . 6 oz.  J 

D 


26 

The  Printing  Procefs 

Nitrate  of  Silver  60  grains  1 di{folve 

Clean  Water  . i oz.  j 

Pour  the  folution  of  chloride  of  gold  into 
the  hypofulphite,  ftirring  with  a glafs  rod  all 
the  time,  then  add  the  nitrate  of  lilver. 

Let  the  pidture  lie  in  this  bath,  but  move 
it  about  conftantly,  to  avoid  ftains  and  air- 
bubbles,  until  it  affumes  the  colour  you  like, 
then  place  it  for  about  ten  minutes  in  a fixing 
bath  of 

Hypofulphite  of  Soda  3 oz. 

Clean  Water  . 16  oz. 

and  then  if  you  are  fortunate  enough  to  be 
able,  lay  it  in  a difh  through  which  a ftream 
of  clear  water  can  run  for  fix  or  eight  hours. 
If  this  cannot  be  managed,  lay  each  print 
feparately  as  it  comes  from  the  fixing  bath 
in  a tray  of  clean  water  for  five  minutes,  then 
place  it  in  a large  and  deep  tray  full  of  water, 
to  which  other  prints  may  be  added.  At 
the  end  of  an  hour,  pour  off"  the  water  to  the 
laft  drop  and  refill  the  tray.  Repeat  this  fix 
or  eight  times  during  the  next  twenty-four 
hours,  taking  care  that  the  prints  are  con-_ 
ftantly  moved  about,  and  that  they  do  not 

in  Photography. 

27 

flick  to  each  other,  and  then,  probably,  all 
the  hypofulphite  will  have  been  wafhed  out ; 
but  if  you  want  to  render  your  pictures  per- 
fectly permanent,  I would  advife  you  to  treat 
them  as  I did  thofe  which  were  reported  upon 
by  Mr.  Hardwich*  to  the  Committee  of  the 
Photographic  Society.  I have  for  a long 
time  been  imprefled  with  a belief  that  fo  long 
as  any  of  the  fize  remains  in  the  paper,  pho- 
tographs will  be  liable  to  fade.  Some  three 
years  ago  I tried  the  effeCt  of  pouring  boiling 
water  j~  upon  prints  that  had  previoufly  been 
well  wafhed,  and  in  not  one  Angle  inftance 
have  I known  a photograph  fo  treated  to 
change  colour  afterwards  in  the  leaft  degree. 
It  is  true  that  the  boiling  water  fometimes 
takes  off  the  brightnefs  of  the  picture ; but 
if  the  picture  has  been  well  toned,  this  may 
be  reftored  by  ironing  it  while  it  is  yet  damp. 
A little  practice,  with  careful  jotting  down  of 
notes,  will  foon  enable  any  photographer  to 
adopt  this  certain  method  of  rendering  his 
pictures  pleaflng  and  permanent. 

* See  Photographic  Journal,  No.  42. 

t The  prints  fhould  not  be  left  in  the  boiling  water 
more  than  fix  or  eight  minutes. 

28 

The  Printing  Procefs 

By  the  Sel  d’Or  Procefs. 

It  is  rather  fingular,  and  not  eafily  accounted 
for,  that  negatives  which  yield  but  indifferent 
impreffions  upon  albumenized  paper,  will Jome- 
times  give  quite  good  pictures  by  the  Sel  d’Or 
procefs  ; and,  on  the  other  hand,  thofe  which 
are  unpleafing  by  the  Sel  d’Or,  will  come  out 
vigorous  and  fine  by  the  ufe  of  Albumen.  I 
have  more  than  once  aftoniftied  friends  by 
printing  their  difcarded  negatives  in  fuch  a 
way  as  to  make  them  doubt  if  I had  not 
changed  the  glafs  negative. 

The  Sel  d’Or  procefs  is  peculiarly  adapted 
to  portraits  and  fome  kinds  of  landfcapes,  but 
not  to  all.  It  requires  much  more  careful 
watching  than  the  Albumen  paper ; but  if  you 
have  a good  negative  to  work  with,  it  amply 
repays  the  trouble. 

The  belt  paper  for  this  procefs  is  the  Pa- 
pier Saxe,  or  German  Pofitive.  It  mud  firft 
be  falted.  Take 

Chloride  of  Ammonium  ioo  gr.)  .-a-  i 

Clean  Water  . . 8 oz  J ° VC 

Purified  Gelatine  . 1 6 gr.']J./r) 

„7  ttt  8 diffolve  - 

Warm  Water  . . 2 oz.J 

in  Photography. 

29 

Mix  thefe  folutions,  and  float  the  paper 
(flnooth  fide)  only  fo  long  as  is  required  to 
caufe  it  to  lie  quite  flat ; then  hang  it  up  to 
dry.  Any  quantity  of  paper  thus  prepared 
will  keep  good  for  any  length  of  time. 

Excite  this  paper  on  a 6o-grain  folution  of 
Nitrate  of  Silver  in  the  fame  way  as  the  Al- 
bumen paper  (fee  page  24),  and  expofe  it  to 
light  in  the  preflure  frame,  but  do  not  over- 
print the  picture  one  fhade  deeper  than  that 
you  wifh  for. 

When  the  picture  has  been  fufficiently 
printed,  put  it  in  a difh  and  let  a ftream  of 
water  run  over  it  for  a few  minutes ; this  is 
to  remove  the  excefs  of  Nitrate  of  Silver ; 
then  place  it  in  a bath  of 

Liquor  Ammonias  1 dram. 

Clean  Water  . 1 pint, 

and  let  it  remain  there  till  it  aflumes  a flight 
red  tint  (probably  in  about  a minute).  Wafh 
the  picture  again  in  clear  water  till  it  ceafes 
to  feem  of  a milky  hue,  and  then  remove  it 
to  the  colouring  bath  made  as  follows : — 

Chloride  of  Gold  . 4 grains)  ve 

Clean  Water  . 8 oz.  J 

3° 

The  Printing  Procefs 

Hypofulphite  of  Soda  12  grain8')  ^j^p0jve 
Clean  Water  . 8 oz.  J 

Pour  the  folution  of  gold  into  the  Hypo- 
fulphite. 

Watch  the  pi<5ture  carefully  while  in  this 
bath,  and  in  about  ten  or  fifteen  minutes  it 
will  afliime  a proper  colour ; if  it  be  left  in 
the  bath  too  long  the  whites  will  turn  yellow. 

Wafh  the  pidture  again  for  a minute,  and 
then  immerfe  it  in  a bath  of  fimple  Hypo- 
fulphite— 4 oz.  to  a pint  of  water,  for  about 
ten  minutes.  Then  wafh  it  in  the  ufual  way, 
and  if  you  wifh  it  to  be  quite  permanent,  pour 
boiling  water  upon  it,  as  I have  before  re- 
commended. 

All  the  operations  of  this  procefs  are  beft 
conduced  in  a room  lhaded  from  bright  light. 

By  the  Ammonio-Nitrate  Procefs. 

This  procefs  is  perhaps  not  fo  eafy  as  thofe 
which  I have  juft  defcribed ; but  for  fome 
kinds  of  portraits,  copies  of  engravings,  &c. 
it  has  its  advantages.  The  beft  paper  to  ufe  _ 
is  the  Papier  Saxe. 

in  Photography. 

31 

To  fait  the  paper,  take 

Chloride  of  Sodium  20  grains. 

Clear  Water  . . 1 pint. 

Place  this  in  a flat  difh  and  immerfe  the  paper, 
turn  it  over,  and  then  hang  it  up  to  dry. 

To  make  Ammonio-Nitrate  of  Silver,  take 

Nitrate  of  Silver  i ao  grains'] 

Diftilled  Water  . 2 oz.  / 

Add,  drop  by  drop,  good  liquor  Ammonias, 
ftirring  the  folution  continually  with  a glafs 
rod  until  the  precipitate  which  is  formed  is  en- 
tirely rediflolved.  Do  not  add  more  Ammo- 
nia than  is  juft  fufficient  to  clear  the  folution. 
When  it  is  bright,  add  three  or  four  drops 
from  your  Nitrate  of  Silver  bath,  and  then 
filter.  Ammonio-Nitrate  thus  prepared,  if 
kept  from  the  light,  will  remain  good  for  any 
time. 

To  fenfitize  the  paper.  Lay  the  fheet  of 
falted  paper  upon  a board  rather  larger  than 
itfelf  covered  with  blotting ; incline  the  board 
gently,  and  with  a large  camels-hair  brufh 
(fold  for  this  purpofe),  cover  the  paper  with 
the  folution  of  Ammonio-Nitrate,  beginning 
along  the  top  and  working  downwards.  Re- 

32 


The  Printing  Procefs. 


peat  this  acrofs  the  paper,  and  take  care  that 
it  is  evenly  wetted  all  over.  Let  it  lie  for  a 
minute  and  then  hang  it  up  by  a wooden  clip, 
in  a darkened  place,  to  dry. 

In  printing,  expofe  the  paper  thus  prepared 
until  it  affumes  a dark  flate-blue.  Fix  and 
colour  it  in  the  fame  way  as  Albumenized 
paper,  and  pay  great  attention  to  the  walking. 


To  Mount  Photographs. 

I find  nothing  better  than  a folution  of  good  Gela- 
tine or  Gum  Arabic,  fuch  as  is  ufually  fold  at  the 
Druggifts.  It  muft  be  mixed  nearly  of  the  confift- 
ency  of  honey,  and  laid  on  to  the  back  of  the  Pho- 
tograph as  evenly  and  lightly  as  poffible,  and  then 
applied  to  the  mounting-paper  or  cardboard  dire£tly, 
and  rubbed  down  well  with  a piece  of  blotting-paper 
over  it.  Jt  fhould  then  be  placed  under  a weight 
and  allowed  to  remain  fome  hours. 

If  the  Gum  be  thin,  it  will  perhaps  run  through 
the  paper,  and  tend  to  curl  the  mounting-paper  or 
board. 


C.  WHITTINGHAM,  TOOKS  COURT,  CHANCERY  LANE. 


4