Camera Work: A Photographic Quarterly (1908 (Heft 23))

Experiment IV,— Repeated experiment made in III and found a partial
frilling during redevelopment. Some solution probably worked its way
between the films after the emulsion had started to lift while in the first
developing bath. Dried in the sun; frilling did not spread, but result not
satisfactory owing to the original frilling.
Experiment V,—Repeated experiment III, but varnished the edges of
the plate before starting development. The plate was dried in the sun and
was afterwards readily intensified and washed. The use of formalin as a
hardener on ordinary plates oftentimes makes them difficult to treat chemi-
cally after they have once been dried. No frilling; result, a perfect plate.
Experiment VI.—Plate treated with a 3% formalin solution for one
minute and then rinsed before proceeding with development and the suc-
ceeding operations. Carried through intensification without intermediate
drying. No signs of frilling at any stage. This plate was dried in the sun
and then soaked in water, 1750 F., for two minutes. The latter had no
effect on it. A beautiful plate in every respect. The hot water test was
made merely to see how far the tanning of the film had been accomplished.
Although these experiments are by no means conclusive, they seem to
point the way in which frilling of Autochromes may be entirely overcome.
They also seem to show that with the introduction of the formalin the
necessity of keeping the various chemical solutions employed in the process
at a low and equal temperature will be eliminated. Furthermore, the
tanning of the film will permit one to wipe its surface during the operations
and to treat it locally with ease, if necessary, besides permitting the plates to
be dried by heat. Two factors to be definitely determined are, whether all
emulsions will stand the formalin treatment — Autochrome emulsions still
vary considerably — and whether it will be better to introduce the bath
before or after the first development. Before will be a decided advantage,
for it would eliminate the question of temperature from the start as far as
frilling is concerned. In no experiment was the brilliancy of color affected.
The experiments recorded were made with 13 x 18 centimeter plates, emul-
sion number 133.
Further experiments are in the course of progress, but can not be included
in this number, as the presses are waiting for Camera Work ; in fact the
forms, already locked, were opened to introduce these hasty memoranda for
the benefit of the many who are liable to be troubled with Autochrome
frilling this summer. Alfred Stieglitz.

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