693. Red Prussiate Process For Titling Negatives

Red Prussiate Process For Titling Negatives. The most practical method of all, and one that is simple to execute is as follows: Write or draw the inscription desired upon a piece of good, coated paper, using a clean pen dipped in a solution of Red Prussiate of Potash (Potassium Ferri-cyanide). Next, lightly yet evenly, dampen, with cold water, the part of the negative (film side) you wish to letter. Then upon this moistened space lay the paper bearing the inscription. This must be done evenly and pressure applied for only a short time.

694. After carefully removing the paper the inscription will be found reversed on the film of the negative. To make the letters transparent dip the negative in a solution of Hyposulphite of Soda (half an ounce of Soda dissolved in four ounces of water). The bleaching out of the silver image where the Red Prussiate of Potash letters have been placed will take place almost immediately. Now thoroughly wash the negative.

695. Common rubber type, which can be purchased from any stationer, may be employed. Instead of using the regular stamp pad, take a piece of blotting paper and saturate it with the Ferricyanide solution. Moisten the rubber stamp on this blotter and press it firmly on the transfer paper, which latter should be applied to the negative as previously directed. The type itself suffers no harm if, immediately after being used, it is pressed several times on blotting-paper moistened with water. Clean-cut black letters will be obtained on the print if the above directions are carefully carried out.

696. Prints

Prints. When the title or a signature is to be placed on the print, it is very important that more than ordinary care be exercised to have its appearance extremely neat. Many workers fail to realize the importance of these details.

697. Purposes Of A Title

Purposes Of A Title. The object of a title is to tell the subject of a print. This may seem very obvious, but a full understanding of this first point is the basis upon which all other rules are laid. The lettering must first be legible; second, appropriate, and third, not too conspicuous.

698. Legibility

Legibility. It would be far better to omit the lettering of the title if it is not done clearly and neatly. If not accomplished in this way it becomes merely an irritating, meaningless addition, rather than an assistance in understanding the picture. Many times one sees titles of this nature carelessly and unintelligently written in some conspicuous corner of the print. Attention is, of course, immediately attracted to them, but they do not enlighten the observer regarding the subject.

699. Appropriateness

Appropriateness. The style of lettering should harmonize with the print, and it is therefore necessary to give particular consideration to this feature. If the print is full of delicate tones the wording should not be in heavy, solid letters. If the title is added to a print of purely historical or scientific interest, or if the title is merely typographical, elaborate ornamental lettering is wholly out of place. It is not necessary to have fancy flaring lettering for pictorial photographs. In fact it is far better to use as plain and simple a style as possible, and the lettering must not be so conspicuous as to detract from the picture itself.

700. Careful thought must be given to the nature of the title, for it must be appropriate for the print with which it is used. The title must, to a certain extent, give an explanation of the picture. It should not, however, be too long. Two or three words is a great sufficiency, and you should aim to have the title come within this number.