A Manual of the Collodion Photographic Process - The Preparation of the Collodion Film
Contents
Part 1
Part 2
- Preparation of Collodion Film
- Immersion of Plate in the Bath
- Exposure of the Prepared Plate to the Action of Light
- Development of the Image
- Fixing of the Image
PART III
- The Whitening Process
- The Camera
- Description of the Camera
- Glass Bath
- Photographic Lens
- Summary of Precautions
- Conclusion
The Preparation of the Collodion Film
The first division—Take the plate of glass in the left hand, holding it by one end, and with the bottle of collodion in the other hand, pour from it on to the middle of the glass such a quantity of the solution as will run in a body freely, and by gently tilting the glass from one corner to the other the collodion will run evenly over the surface, excepting the half inch at the upper end. When covered the residue is poured back into the bottle by inclining the corner of the glass nearest to it over the neck, and allowing the collodion to run off. The precaution, how- ever, must be taken at this time to move the glass vertically backwards and forwards over the neck of the bottle, to prevent the furrowed appearance the collodion will assume if this is not attended to, and which in some measure will injure the delicacy of the drawing.
After a few trials the operator cannot fail to conduct this part of the manipulation with sufficient dexterity to obtain the desired even- ness in the coating. After this, the class, more particularly in cold and damp weather, should be allowed to dry for a short time, until, in fact, the ether has evaporated, and the film is damp only with the alcohol remaining in it.