Cheers from Canberra, Australia

[pmviewcam]

I have been photographing for about 60 years, starting with a Praktica and 50mm lens. Over time, I moved to medium and then large format. My preferred camera is a 10x8 Chamonix, and printing techniques are generally cyanotype and VanDyke Brown. However, there is always a pinhole camera in my gear. I have my own darkroom, and develop all black and white film. While I do have enlargers, I would rather contact print. I've tried colour, but don't really relate to it unfortunately.

I have managed to collect far too many cameras, and been sent down too many rabbitholes; I carry a Contax RX all the time, with Ilford FP4+, and either a 60mm Macro or the 35-70mm f3.4 zoom. I have some home-built 5x4 and 10x8 pinholes, and the same with fixed focal length lens cameras. There is always something intriguing and, I think, fun in not knowing what the final pinhole image will be.

My preferred subjects are landscapes, architecture, and LF close-ups of flowers. I have attached two: an Indian lily, printed in cyanotype and toned in fenugreek, and an Asiatic lily, both are 10x8 contact prints.

Best wishes with the new forum.

Peter.

 

[Kanga]

Good Afternoon Peter,
Nice photos - you said that you use Fenugreek for toning your cyanotypes - what is it?
Cheers Kanga

 

[pmviewcam]

Thanks, Kanga.

Basically, take a fully processed cyanotype print, soak it for a few minutes in warm water, make up a solution of about 50gms of fenugreek seeds (cheap, from the local Indian supply shop), in a litre of boiling water, let it steep for about 30 minutes or so, then immerse the print, face down usually. I leave it in the toning solution for anything up to an hour. The result is described as a "petrolly-green" colour. There is a little paper stain, but not enough to worry me.

Peter.

 

[Kanga]

Thanks I'll give it a go.

 

[dirk]