Kallitype printing at Photofusion

I’ve been a participant on the LCN (London Creative Network) during the last year with Photofusion and have been lucky enough to benefit from workshops and training at Photofusion in Brixton.

In February, I attended a half day workshop on Kallitype and Platinum printing processes, which covered the historical context of the process, technical composition of the chemical process, and the opportunity to learn how to print from a digital contact negative.

The Kallitype process uses Ferric Oxalate and Silver Nitrate, carefully measured and then used to coat cotton based paper with a light sensitive solution. Learning from our extremely knowledgable and patient tutor, Paul Ellis, it was easy to see how refinement of the techniques can allow each part of the process to contribute to the creative expression of the final print. I spent some time considering how the brush marks of the solution on the paper could be used to frame the image well, and Paul showed us how to use test prints to judge the correct exposure time.

As my work is usually shot digitally and delivered to clients entirely online, photographic printing represents a slowing down of process and thought, an opportunity to consider and learn more about the craft of printing. I absolutely loved being back in a dark room again, and methodically carrying out each step of the process - it felt almost meditative.

Test print - showing 5minute and 10minute exposures

Final image - 4 minute exposure, and printed toned using a gold toner