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Photographic Emulsions
Commercial photographic printing papers, although still available in quite a variety of types and finishes, impose several limitations. The paper type is pre-ordained by the manufacturer and must be a highly machined product that will pass through the elaborate manufacturing process. Probably the greatest constraint is that the printer is limited to working upon a two dimensional plane. Self-coated emulsion offers the simplest way to unshackle oneself from the manufacturer, as an image can be placed on a wide variety of surfaces, many unusable with other alternative photographic processes. Now in the decade since high quality emulsions have become available in a packaged form, serious experimentation has been possible for the first time in the history of the medium. Shape, dimension, surface quality and type of base material are all in the hands of the print-maker. In recognition of this we produced a book 'Silver Gelatin' in 1996, which covers the technical aspects of emulsion work exhaustively as well as containing extensive colour portfolios. Now in its 3'rd edition, recommended to everyone wanting to work seriously with emulsion.
SE1 Emulsion is made for us by one of the main photographic manufacturers in this country, this is a normal contrast bromide emulsion which is versatile and easy to use. Contrast: reasonably hard grade 2. The high silver content allows a certain degree of dilution with water in many cases. If applying to a transparent medium use full strength, but on opaque surfaces such as paper do tests using 1 + 1 and 1 + 2 dilutions with water. SE1's substantial concentration of high bloom gelatin yields good adhesion to many surfaces, often without subbing beforehand. Processing is as for normal paper- the emulsion is quite robust, and does not usually need hardening, or the use of slow fixing agents. The image colour is neutral to slightly warm-black, and it reacts well to toners of all types including selenium, also to Lith. development. A separate subbing solution is available for optional use when coating smooth surfaces such as glass.
The Hamburg-based photo. distributor MACO launched a range of emulsions several years ago, which are an alternative to the ‘SE’ variety. Available as a single graded hard-contrast emulsion, or a variable contrast emulsion that can be used in conjunction with filters, as well as several accessory products including hardener and gelatin substrate.
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