369. Applying The Reducer To Small Parts

Applying The Reducer To Small Parts. A very convenient way to apply the reducer to small parts and narrow places is to make a stump by covering the tapered end of a piece of soft pine wood, not thicker than a thin lead pencil, with a tuft of cotton. The cotton is attached to the stick by placing a small tuft of the cotton loosely upon the index finger of the left hand, and then with the stick in the right hand place the point of the stick on the very edge of the cotton farthest from you. Gently roll the stick over the cotton toward you, in one direction only, until all the cotton is wound onto the point of the stick; then rolling it

between the three fingers it will become quite solid, and will not come off the stick. The reducer is applied with the stump in exactly the same manner as when using the finger tip, only that the stump works best after it has been in use some little time.

370. If you find it impossible to secure the Schriever Etching Paste, which is the most successful reducing agent of this kind, you may prepare a paste as follows: Take one level teaspoonful of vaseline and mix thoroughly with it three level teaspoonsful of powered pumice-stone. This will give you a paste which will reduce the average lights; but if you desire to reduce extremely opaque portions, you may add more of the pumice-stone. On the other hand, if you wish to work on portions which require but only a slight reduction, then you may use less pumice-stone.

371. The principal secret of reducing with the etching paste lies in the amount of pressure employed. By constant practice you will learn, by sense of touch, the exact amount of work necessary. Therefore, one should devote as much time as possible to the practice of reducing with the paste, as it will prove of wonderful assistance in the modeling of many negatives. This method also saves a vast amount of work with the etching knife, which latter requires more time and considerably more care in its use. Where the applying of the reducer with the tip of the finger is objectionable, one may use a piece of Canton flannel. Gathering one thickness of the cloth about the finger, dip it (in place of the finger) into the reducer and apply it in like manner. Proof-prints should be made from all negatives, before any work is done, and at intervals when working on the plate. You can then very readily observe the results of your work as you proceed. Always file all proofs made of your practice work; they will be of frequent assistance to you.

372. After a liberal amount of practice with the reducing paste, and when you feel confident that you can apply the reducer to any portions desired, then with this experience and the practice you have had with the etching

knife, which should give you full control of the knife, so you can shave the film as lightly or as deeply as required, you are prepared to apply the work to any negative, as needed. For all future lessons you should apply either pencil, reducing paste or the etching knife, whichever is required. In either case always make proof-prints from the negative before applying any of these methods, for you will then have before you the proof of the negative before any work was done, and by making another proof-print afterward you have a very instructive comparison.

373. Local Reducing With Wood Alcohol

Local Reducing With Wood Alcohol. The method of reducing with wood alcohol is a very convenient one to employ, and is recommended principally for work on the drapery, reducing white buttons, badges, buckles, objectionable white spots on white drapery, sometimes white ribbons in the hair, also halation around windows, lamps, etc. The method is simple and easily applied.

374. First, procure a piece of soft chamois. If the object or space you desire to reduce is very large, place the chamois over the tip of the first finger, dip it in the alcohol, and start, with a circular motion, to rub over the surface you wish to reduce. Do not rub up and down, nor cross-ways as that would give streaks, but in a circular motion - first lightly, then, if necessary, a trifle heavier, until the desired reduction is secured. Where small objects are to be reduced, a small tuft of cotton applied to the end of a match may be dipped in alcohol, and the reducing is then done with this stump.

375. The first precaution to be taken in applying the alcohol reducer is to avoid working too heavily, and also to avoid using any sharp tool in applying the alcohol. When the end of a match is used see that the edges are not sharp, and when applying the alcohol to reduce the spot, first work very lightly, and gradually a little heavier, until the proper reduction has been accomplished.

376. When small spots are to be reduced the circular motion is not always practicable, for you must avoid the spreading of the reducer, and, therefore, must not apply

the alcohol to any portions other than those you wish to be reduced. Therefore, this method is recommended principally for medium broad surfaces, and especially for white blotches on dark clothing, and window draperies which have been obscured by the effects of halation.