Early Photographic Processes

Kallitype Process

including

Van Dyke Prints

from 1899

Discovery

W J Nichol devised the Kallitype process in 1899, based on the work of Sir John Herschel in the 1840s.

Process

1.  Make a solution of ferric oxalate, , oxalic acid and silver nitrate.olution of potassium bichromate or ammonium bichromate.

2. Coat this solution  onto a sheet of thick paper, and allow to dry.

3. Lay a negative on the paper, and expose to sunlight until the mid-tones begin to appear.

4. Transfer the paper to a developing solution.

The colour of the final print will depend on the developing solution chosen.

5.  Fix the print with sodium thiosulphate.

6.  Wash the print.

7.  Tone (if desired)

Result

Colours

The colour of the final print could be black, brown, sepia, purple or maroon, depending on the developer chosen at step 4 above, and whether or not the print was toned. 

Van Dyke Prints

One variety of print, with rich brown tones was known as Van  Dyke prints, these being named after Anthony van Dyck.

In Edinburgh 

Today

In December 2003, a members of the Scottish Society for the History of Photography visited Hospitalfield House, Arbroath, Scotland, and saw some experiments that had been carried out in early photographic processes, including the Van Dyke prints.

©

Eduardo Aites of Seattle, Washington USA has created a web site giving technical advice on early photographic processes, including Kallitype and Van Dyke processes that he uses.

Some of the details above are based on information in the book:

Looking at Photographers - A Guide to Technical Terms (Gordon Baldwin)