AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHY. 



73 



looking like a charcoal sketch. This 

 method of treating- under exposure must 

 be used with good judgment. There may 

 be some failures, but after a little experi- 

 ence this method will be found preferable 

 in many cases to the usual methods of in- 

 tensification. 



U. C. Wanner, West Philadelphia, Pa. 



TONING AND FIXING. 



Will you kindly give me some informa- 

 tion about toning and fixing? I have no 

 trouble with the toning solutions that I 

 buy already prepared, but I wish to make 

 my own. 



I enclose the formula I am trying to 

 use ; also a print that I have toned out with 

 it. I have followed this formula exactly 

 and again with variations, but always with 

 the same results. I want to get the dark 

 color the same as gallery pictures or the 

 ones in Recreation. Solio paper is the 

 handiest to use, for we can get it at photo 

 supply stores. If you will kindly tell me 

 why I fail in this formula or give me a 

 better one that will make the dark finish 



1 shall be under many obligations to you. 



J. B. Abbott, Columbia Falls/Mont. 



ANSWER. 



The Solio print you enclosed is well 

 made. I doubt if you can improve on it by 

 tonmg with gold alone. If you wish to get 

 black and white prints instead of the brown 

 it will be necessary to tone first with gold 

 and then with platinum, or else use the 

 platinum single toning solution. The latter 

 is less trouble. Print deeper than for brown 

 prints, wash the prints thoroughly through 

 five or 6 changes of water, then tone in the 

 following solution : 



Potassium chloro-platinite 15 grains 



Cupric acid. . 30 grains 



Citric acid 6 drachms 



Water 12 drachms 



For use take one drachm o„f this stock 

 solution to 20 ounces of water. 



After toning wash through several 

 changes of water to remove the acid, and 

 then fix in hypo solution as given in the 

 directions which accompany the Solio 

 paper. 



If yon prefer to double tone, after ton- 

 ing in the gold bath wash prints through 



2 or 3 changes of water and then tone in 

 the following: 



Potassium chloro-platinite ... 15 grains 

 Phosphoric acid (50 per cent.). 2 drachms 

 Water 2 ounces 



For use take one drachm of stock solu- 

 tion to 20 ounces of water. After toning 

 wash and fix as before. Either of these 

 methods should give you rich black and 

 white prints. — Editor. 



WORK AT HOME. 

 I have been a reader of Recreation 2 

 years, and am much interested in the pho- 

 tographic department, having used a cam- 

 era 4 years, with varying results. I 

 am always interested in any article on 

 Velox paper. My printing and developing 

 arrangements are different from any I have 

 seen. I have a wooden box 18 x 30 inches 

 and 10 inches deep, standing on end, with 

 a hole about 4x6 inches in the bottom, 

 or what would be the bottom if it was right 

 side up, with red paper pasted over it. My 

 developing tray stands in front of red cov- 

 ered hole, with water tray at leit, and hypo 

 tray in front of water tray; while my lamp 

 is inside the box, allowing 2 or 3 printing 

 frames to be used on the light side, while 

 the red paper gives a good light to work 

 by in any room where paper or woodwork 

 is not too light. By placing printing frame 

 18 inches from light a thin negative may 

 be printed from without danger of fogging, 

 as is often the case when placed closer. I 

 print longer than is usually recommended, 

 and use a greater quantity of bromide — 

 over 10 times as much as formula calls for. 

 The bromide shows up . development and 

 brings out details which would be lost by 

 the usual treatment. I have used as high 

 as 20 grains of bromide crystals in 6 ounces 

 of developer and have obtained satisfactory 

 results. I never yet got a good clear print 

 by using the 5 and 10 drops of 10 per cent, 

 solution as per Velox formula. I think 

 the reason so many dirty, muddy prints are 

 obtained by tyros is that they use too little 

 bromide. If beginners who are making 

 such prints will try this excess plan they 

 will see a great improvement in results, 

 and will think Velox is the best paper, after 

 all. If results should not improve I am 

 willing to take all sorts of abuse, by mail, 

 and keep good natured. 



Do your own developing and see what 

 solid enjoyment you will gain. You may 

 spoil a plate now and then, or twice as 

 often, but you soon will become expert and 

 independent. 



F. M. Mahan, Rochester, N. Y. 



AN ACID-PROOF TABLE TOP. 

 A black finish for table tops may be made 

 as follows : 



1. 



Iron sulphate 4 parts 



Copper sulphate 4 parts 



Potassium permanganate 8 parts 



Water, q. s 100 parts 



2. 



Aniline 12 parts 



Hydrochloric acid 18 parts 



Water, q. s 100 parts 



or 



Aniline hydrochlorate 15 parts 



Water, q. s 100 prrts 



Apply with a brush 2 coats of solution 



