_Albumenized Paper._--In a late Number of "N. & Q." you published an
account of albumenizing paper for positives by MR. SHADBOLT. Having
considerable experience in the manipulation of photographical art, I have
bestowed great pains in testing the process he recommends; and, I regret to
say, the results are by no means satisfactory. I well know the delicacy
which is required in applying the albumen _evenly_ to the surface of the
paper, and am therefore not surprised to find that each of his
"longitudinal strokes" remains clearly indicated, thereby entirely
destroying the effect of the picture.
He also advises that the paper should not be afterwards _ironed_, as it is
apt to produce flaws and spots on the albumenized surface; and he believes
that the chemical action of the nitrate of silver alone is sufficient to
coagulate the albumen, without the application of heat. This I have found
_in practice_ to be incorrect: for when I have excited albumenized paper,
to which a sufficient heat has not been applied, I have invariably observed
that a portion of the albumen becomes detached into the silver solution,
making it viscid, and favouring its decomposition. Consequently, the sheets
_last_ excited seldom retain their colour so long as those which are first
prepared. But even laying aside the question of the coagulation of the
albumen, the paper, unless it is ironed, remains so "cockled up," that it
is not only unsightly, but very difficult to use. 100-grain solution of
nitrate of silver (I presume to the ounce) is also recommended. In a late
Number, I find DR. DIAMOND uses a 40-grain solution with perfect success;
and my own experience enables me to verify this formula as being
sufficiently powerful:--no additional intensity of colour being obtained by
these strong solutions, it is a mere waste of material. Therefore I think
your correspondent fails in effecting either economy of material or time.
However painful it may be to me to offer remarks at variance with the
opinions of your kind and intelligent correspondents, yet I consider it a
duty that yourself and readers should not be misled, and so interesting and
elegant an art as photography brought into disrepute by experiments which,
however well intentioned, plainly indicate a want of experience.