BROMIDE PRINTING.
printing is a process which specially commends itself to the requirements of the amateur, for the reason that better results from injudiciously exposed negatives are obtainable from it than from any other. The finest results are, of course, as with other processes, only obtainable from the most suitable negatives, and it may be well to at once describe the kind of negative which should be aimed at when printing on bromide paper is contemplated. The most suitable negative for the purpose is one that is rather thin—a little less vigorous, in fact, than would be considered necessary for printing on albumenised paper—and it should not show any harsh contrast of light and shade, nor any hard patches of undue density ; though really passable prints may be obtained from negatives which are absolutely too thin to print by any other process. In many cases, indeed, when such negatives are obtained, it will be advisable to reserve them for printing from in bromide, rather than resort to intensification, which should be avoided whenever possible. Reasonably good prints may also be obtained from negatives which exhibit the converse conditions to those just described ; that is to say, from those which are unduly dense. How the best results may be secured under these varying conditions I shall in the present chapter endeavour to make clear.
Bromide printing is what is known as a development pro cess—that is to say, the image after exposure to light under the negative is not visible as it is when albumenised paper is used, but requires to be developed in order to bring it out. This leads me to refer to a further advantage of the process, namely, that the whole of the necessary operations, includ ing the exposure of the paper, inay be carried on at night, independent of the assistance of daylight. This is no small advantage to the amateur, whose time is fully occupied dulling the day, as it will enable him to produce his prints at night.
From an artistic point of view the process has much to recommend it. In appearance, a properly produced bromide print closely resembles an engraving, its colour being a good black; although, by a subsequent process of toning, this black colour can be easily changed to various shades of red and brown. For this reason the process is preferred by
many people (particularly those who profess artistic ideas) to silver printing either on albumenised or gelatino-chloride paper.
Gelatino-bromide paper is manufactured commercially by several firms, but Morgan J.; Kidd were the first to issue the paper to the public. I have used their paper from the time of its introduction, and do so still, not having met with any which is better. lily remarks, however, will apply equally to this particular paper, or to that of any other maker, for, except in the matter of rapidity, there is really very little to choose between the different makes. What ever paper is selected, the printed directions accompanying it must be most carefully read and studied before any attempt is made to use it, as each different make will require some slight difference in treatment, which, though it may appear trifling, will in reality have a great deal to do with the final results; moreover, it is only fair to the manufacturer, who should know what particular method of working suits his productions best, to obey his instructions. Although the hints which I am giving apply generally to all bromide papers, they are not intended to in any way supersede the printed instructions accompanying the packets.
Accuracy of exposure is of primary importance, and the factors which determine it are the same as in other photo graphic work. In order to obtain uniform results in this respect it is necessary to observe two precautions : first, always to use the same source and intensity of illumination; and second, always to place the printing frame during ex posure at the same distance from the light. Then, when once the correct amount of exposure has been ascertained for a particular negative, a note can be made of the time, in a book kept for the purpose, so that at a future time any number of prints can be produced with ease and certainty.