Hi Bruce,
I'm a little late answering this, didn't answer before because the answers went off in a direction that didn't interest me. I only realized yesterday that you and Jacek are asking a very basic question: how do you make the curves? The best, easiest, cheapest and most democratic way is to use ChartThrob, following Michael's instructions here:

http://www.inkjetnegative.com/images/RNP/quick_guide_to_making_digital_ne.htm

Michael's right here so if you have any questions be sure to ask.

I've only calibrated curves for one set of pigments for tricolor so far, but I find the curves so similar that I can't imagine that it would make any difference to use the calibrated curve for each pigment vs using the same curve on all pigments. But I've also learned, in extensive testing about curves, that the shape of the curve depends more on the color saturation of the pigment mix than on its color per se. A more saturated mix gives a deeper curve, a less saturated mix gives a shallower curve.

Those who mix all pigments at the same proportions will necessarily generate different curves for their different pigment mixes, because mixing everything to the same amount of paint per gum guarantees that the color saturation will be different for the different pigments. I prefer to mix my pigments to the same color saturation rather than using the same amount of pigment; this promotes a better balance of colors and more consistent results using different pigments, as well as being able to use the same curve across the board. Hope that's helpful,
Katharine

Kathrine

Thanks for the response and help I was on vacation and didnt have computer access.

Bruce

Hi All:

To those of you who asked me to let you know when I post my new section, here it is:

http://dwrphotos.com/blog/Section13/GlassNegatives.htm

Thanks for the support and encouragement!
d

Great new page, Denise, and I like the workshop structure of "The Light Farm."

You might want to consider a different pyro formula for your tests. I like PMK for its grain masking effect with smaller formats, but the high background stain (i.e.--base fog) characteristic of PMK looks like it's giving you lower contrast than you might otherwise get from this emulsion. I like ABC pyro, myself. I've seen and printed some fine Pyrocat-HD negs as well, though I haven't been a user of that formula personally. And of course, there are various other options, which I'm sure you're aware of.

Thank you, David. And, thank you for the developer tip. I've never gotten around to testing ABC pyro. When the Light Farm goes online, each collaborative recipe development will include suggestions like yours. I very much appreciate your explanation of why you make the recommendation that you do.
Cheers,
d

You've inspired me to try my hand at emulsion making again Denise. The halation effect is cool and especially timely with the announcement that HIE won't be made any longer.

Joe

Joe:

You've made my day, maybe my week! I wish you much fun and satisfaction. I hope you consider contributing to the Light Farm's emulsion encyclopedia.

d

Hi All:

I thought I'd send out another update on the Light Farm silver gelatin website. I'm still pretty much on track for a 'soon after the first of January' release date. It will help if the electricity stays on! We got off easy on the first-ever Oregon hurricane (only 100 mph here rather than the 120 some areas saw) but we still were juice-less for two days. Fun though.

I would love for the folks who are making emulsions to think about becoming a Contributing Editor to the Light Farm. Here's a heads-up to the page that talks about that:

///H:/TheLightFarm/Current/Map/HowToParticipate/MapTopic.htm

Please note that it isn't linked to any other page right now. If you haven't been following the progress on launching this beast, here is the UnderConstruction page:
http://dwrphotos.com/blog/Section14/thelightfarm.htm

I haven't figured out the details yet, but I'd like the Light Farm to have some relationship with hybrid. If my mission is a renaissance, then the more people aware and participating the better! It's my goal that my work and blather becomes only a small part of the whole.

Best wishes for a creative weekend to all,
d

Hi again:

I don't know why the How to Participate address didn't go hot. I'll investigate and try again soon. This is why it's nice to beta with friends!
d

http://www.thelightfarm.com/howtoparticipate/maptopic.htm

Hi again:

I don't know why the How to Participate address didn't go hot. I'll investigate and try again soon. This is why it's nice to beta with friends!
d

http://www.thelightfarm.com/howtoparticipate/maptopic.htm
Your links in the above post were pathed to a local drive!

Don

Thanks! Don,
I'm hoping all is good now and that the two addresses I originally tried to post are coming through loud and clear.

By the way: Any chance I can get you to try your talented hand at handmade silver gel someday :) ?

d

By the way: Any chance I can get you to try your talented hand at handmade silver gel someday :) ?

d

Yes it is on my list of things to do but it isn't on the horizon right now. I have so many other projects in the hopper that I can't undertake anything new. Don't worry though, I want to try it out and I'm following your work closely.

Don

Hi All,

I'm finally up for air! I've been at the job of launching The Light Farm almost literally around the clock since the day after Christmas. I finally understand divine obsession. I hope that some of you give making emulsions a try. I'd love to see what some of the enormous talent that visits this site could do with the field.

I have linked to hybrid for questions about making digital negatives. I can't imagine a better source of information on the subject than these pages.

I'm looking forward to catching up on all the new posts here. It looks like folks have been busy and creative.

Cheers,
Denise Ross
http://www.thelightfarm.com/

Denise, thanks for bumping this thread, I hadn't seen it. Cool work.

Thank you, Keith, for the kind word. I love the look of your website, and your images are beautiful.
d

Thank you, Keith, for the kind word. I love the look of your website, and your images are beautiful.
d

<blush> you are the very first person to comment on it, I just got it up. Thanks!

Now, looking at your site, I see that there are many things to read and try.