Van Dyke

The Van Dyke Brown method of making photographs has been around since the early days of photographic printing, and was based on the first iron-silver process, the argentotype, invented in 1842 by Sir John Herschel. it was one of those methods that just kind of "found itself" as one could say.

I was not able to witness the creation of these miracle photographs, but here is how it is done.

1. Prepare a solution (1) of 33 milliliters Distilled water and 9 grams Ferric Ammonium Citrate in its own container.
2. Prepare a solution (2) of 33 milliliters Distilled water and 1.5 grams Tartaric Acid in its own container.
3. Prepare a solution (3) of 33 milliliters Distilled water and 3.8 grams Silver Nitrate in its own container.
4. Combine solutions 1 and 2 in a Beaker.


5. With a GLASS ROD slowly stir in solution 3. After stirred, put the solution in a brown bottle and let it age at least a few days.



6. Coat your paper in the solution and let it dry. Note that the paper is highly light-sensitive, and should be protected from UV radiation.

7. place a negative on top of your coated and ready paper, sandwich glass on top for stability, and expose*
8. Once exposed, you should notice your paper has an image on it, although the density will be deceptive. After looking at it, place it in a light-proof "something" and prepare a mixture of Distilled water and 2% Sodium Thiosulphate solution, prepare it in a photo-tub.


9. Rinse your print under room temperature running water for about 5 minutes, it might be a good idea to do this in several different tubs to make sure all of the iron leaves the paper.
10. Remove your print from the water and fix in the 2% Sodium Thiosulphate solution for 3 minutes.
11. Remove your print from the fixer and rinse in running water for 20 minutes.



12. Let your photograph dry, and you are done! Congratulations for you!


*I'm sure a camera obscura would be satisfactory too, although a longer exposure time would probably be necessary.


Take your paper, of course a rag is better, and

The washing solution is, as Wikipedia puts it, "a weak, alkaline fixer of 5% sodium thiosulfate with a teaspoon of household ammonia per liter. The alkali slows the fixing process and prevents rapid bleaching of the image. Almost immediately, the tones of the image will change to a deep chocolate brown. Keep fixing until the whites appear clear; about 2 minutes, and finish with a second, clean fix if desired for thorough removal of salts that would fade the image. Use a fixer clearing bath of sodium sulfite to help remove residual fixer, and give the print an extended wash fitting the absorbancy of the substrate, around 30-45 minutes for absorbent papers, or 5-10 minutes for gelatin sized tile or glass."




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The simple way to do it

A Guy who knows his STUFF