An unfortunate post

I’ve recently determined there is some risk on my life. I made a “dead mans switch” that will automatically release identities and accounts of the horrific abuse, in case I disappear. I just want to live in peace and heal. The page with much more info about what’s going on and the deal I’m proposing is here: http://ash2q.com/deadman.html

I will not be answering any questions about this, other than to say that I’m not detransitioning my gneder. My name and gender presentation will likely change to a more masculine and non-binary style though. I

Research in progress (February 2022)

Hi, just wanted to give a small update to make sure I’m not being too silent on here.

I’ve been doing a series of fairly deep dives into technical research and experimentation lately. The results of this tend to be boring and difficult to discuss much of, but I’ll give a small summary of each project.

  1. I’m working on lith developer formulation and going into a wild new direction. I’m trying to find a suitable sulfite sequestering agent to replace formaldehyde. This has been a rather intense challenge thus far. Acetone DOES work, but the amount required is prohibitive due to the obnoxious odor. I’ve been testing other aldehydes and ketones and combinations to try to increase the potency of acetone, but the ability for these to self-react in alkali has made this a difficult topic to really get a firm grasp on.

  2. I’m also working on general lith developer additives. I have 2 potential additives thus far, both non-toxic and not difficult to source. One is a potential activity increaser and/or sulfite sequestering agent which is not an aldehyde or ketone. The other is a “coloring agent”, specifically it can cause lith developer to produce unique red and pink tones. It does not have this effect in non-lith developers tested. The biggest issue is that there is almost no research of using this chemical in any developer, and it has a tendency to produce fog on many but not all papers and seems to be a potent silver solvent and “displacer”.

  3. Finally, I’m doing a little bit of research on ECN-2 processing technique and alternate processings. I’m wanting to make sure I have a reliable way to remove remjet before shooting anymore ECN-2 film than I already have backlogged. I also would like to create a “hybrid” processing method for ECN-2 which is aimed to produce increased speed, low color saturation, and excellent ability to push develop. Alt processing results thus far has shown some potential, but contrast was too high and color balance was too wonky.

I’m preparing for an extended trip to California later this month where I’ll finally start getting back into real “high effort” photography again. So there won’t be another update on any of this anytime soon, but just know I’m continuing to work and research. I am tossing around the idea of commercialization for some very select formulas, especially GVM1. I’ve also been doing some research of how to go about actually doing that. Unregulated shipping I think I can manage for GVM1, but for many other formulas seems much less clear. How to mix in a more bulk style is not something I’m geared up for, but can likely tackle for prototype runs like what I’m envisioning right now. Later I’ll post and send out a survey for interested parties to be able to express interest and request a sample of some formulas which are known to not be shipping hazards. Keep an eye out for that, but for this month I expect things will be slow on the chemistry front.

Follow me on social medias!

In case you were not aware, I have a few social channels beyond this blog! On Twitter I kinda talk about everything I’m doing everywhere. On Youtube I focus on long form video content (a series on lith printing is the biggest thing I’m working on). On TikTok I do short form more fun kinda videos and try out shorter stuff that wouldn’t be worth making a “real” video for. Instagram I don’t use much but maybe I’ll get back into it sometime

Twitter: @grainyvision

Youtube: Grainy Vision

TikTok: @grainyvision

Instagram: @grainyvisionphoto

Intermission is done

Still a bit slow getting everything wound back up again, but going to be spending more time with chemistry and in the darkroom. I’m having a bit of a personal dilemma of having less comfort with the previous stuff I photographed (street, travel)… but I’m figuring out how to go forward because I really still love photography. Probably going to be experimenting for a while to figure out what’s fun. Abstract stuff is my current aim for figuring out.

I’ve published a youtube video as well and will begin working on a series there about lith printing: Lith Printing With Modern Materials: Introduction (part 0)

I also have a few different drafts for my blog that need to be finished including GVK3, an improved version of my GVK1 developer, messing around with printing out paper emulsions, and kallitype fun. Either way, I’m finally comfortable and in a place where I can start focusing on hobbies again, so hopefully more stuff is published here soon.

Intermission

I’m not dead. I’ve had to take some time away from film and chemistry. I will be back in a new form later once I figure this out.

Some controversial thoughts on film developer contrast

So there has been a number of things I consider myths propagated in the modern film community. There’s also been a number of modern things not properly explored by the photographers of old. I’d like to propose counter theories to these, and give some understanding of how each component in an analog workflow actually relates to the final end result, ie, the print.

Read More