As many know, there's a significant overlap between the large format film and medium format camera communities, and QGX is part of that. One popular technique in the large format world is contact printing – essentially, you use a negative to create a positive print directly on photo paper without using a darkroom or scanning. This offers the advantage of creating handmade prints without needing a darkroom, and also allows for easy experimentation with various 19th-century printing techniques, effectively engaging in "technological archaeology" (since large format cameras themselves are already a form of technological archaeology!).
There are many classical photogram methods, with three common types: blue print, silver nitrate print, and platinum/palladium print. The key difference between these lies in the developing agent used on the photographic paper – blue prints use iron salts (Prussian blue), silver nitrate prints use silver particles, while platinum/palladium prints use corresponding precious metal particles.Therefore, when using both methods to create photos, you can perfectly answer Hua's question about "whether gold is better than silver."
4x5 large format (10.2)12.7 cm) in size and QSL card (14(9cm) is very close. The printing process used for making cards clearly doesn't require any modifications, including the paper size. Previous research has successfully implemented blue-dyeing card making (BI1RHS, 2024; BG2ELG, 2024), however, blue-dyeing may not be particularly stable, and the blue color also lacks a strong "ancient" feel.The main issue was that the process was too simple and not engaging enough."Just recently, QGX managed to successfully use the Van Dyke printing technique in his iron silver ink photo album. This method wasn't much more complicated than blue printing, and during a period where he was taking graduation photos for his classmates, he even managed to produce individual prints in about 15 minutes per print. So, naturally, he thought of using this elegant printing style to create some historical-themed cards – specifically, for the long-standing amateur radio station BY1QH!"
(The following contains a complete process with multiple images depicting cat killing; viewer discretion advised)
First, the card design was created. For the background, several large-format photographs were selected and their opacity was reduced to create a visually appealing grayscale effect reminiscent of the iron silver print method (I ordered a custom printed negative from Taobao, and the density felt acceptable. It didn't differ significantly from my own 4x5 film prints, so I wasn't too concerned about the density).
Apply the paper evenly (using previously used "Hashi Kushi" 300gsm textured, acid-free watercolor paper). After complete drying, expose for 240 seconds using a 48W UV exposure unit (determined by personal timing).
This is the exposure meter.
The internal parts of the exposure machine (in this case, the film is from a previous photo-taking session, not used for making QSL cards), are actually quite simple. However, if they get dirty, the resulting QSL cards won't be worth much. You can also make one by hand using a box and UV light, or even just expose them to sunlight without any light source. The advantage of using an exposure machine is that the parameters are relatively fixed, so you don't have to worry about issues like distance or angle.
The color after just being exposed to sunlight.
After washing, use 0.1% citric acid solution to rinse, followed by 3% sodium thiosulfate fixing (use tap water for fixing).
The Van Dyke process is a very relaxing step! The initially bright, yellow image instantly transforms into a beautiful brown color! Unfortunately, this location doesn't allow for video (or perhaps the files are too large?). In any case, I can't share it.
At this stage, the main reactions have been completed, and all that remains is washing and drying.
Soak with seafoam remover for 1 minute, then wash with water for 10-15 minutes.
Stick it to the board and let it dry to prevent curling during drying (although some curling may still occur even after sticking).
You can appreciate the details as it dries; Sasha says.
Completed!
The final product largely met expectations: the text portion had sufficient contrast while maintaining the characteristic brown tones of the Van Dyke process, and the details of the semi-transparent background image were well reproduced. Furthermore, the deepness did not negatively affect the readability of the text within the frame. I am satisfied!
Currently, the version only allows for creating a card with a printed design. The next step is to implement a version where all communication and information are directly printed on the card – using black as the background color (so that the negative film corresponds to partially transparent areas), enabling the direct printing of communication information and photos onto the film, including the entire card content.
Or… create a double-sided card using two different classical printing techniques, with one color for the front and the other for the content?
Let's wait and see! hihihihi
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