Callotype

This is a contemporay version of the classic Tallbotype, the salted silver print. You may also want to try the classic formula.

salting  solution unflavored gelatin 2.0 g
sodium citrate 6.0g
amomonium chloride 6.0g
water 300ml
sensitizer silver nitrate 12.5g
distilled water 100ml
Fixer Sodium Thiosulfate 25.0g
warm water 500ml

Salting Solution

Sprinkle the gelatin on the surface of 100 ml of cool water and let stand for ten minutes. Meanwhile Dissolve the other chemicals in the order given in 200ml of hot water. Add the hot water solution to the gelatin and stir until it dissolves. You may need to heat this solution in a hot water bath or microwave to get the gelatin to dissolve.  

Sensitizer

Mix the silver nitrate (12.5g) into 100 ml heated distilled water stir until uniform and store in a n amber stoppered bottle.

Coating

Place an pencil mark on the back side of the paper you are going to print on. Brush on or soak the paper in the salting solution . Dry the paper thoroughly before proceeding. Coat the dry salted paper with the sensitizing solution (silver nitrate), use about 3-4ml per 8x10 print. Dry the paper before proceeding.

Exposure

Contact print in sunlight or under a suitable light source. The exposure is complete when the image is about twice as dark as you would like the finished print.

Fix the print in a 5% sodium thiosulfate solution for 5-10 minutes. Wash the print for 20-30 minutes. Air dry the print.

Toning

Prints from this process may be toned as you would any silver gelatin prints. Gold toner is the protective toner that would have been used during the period when this process was popular.