Doncaster Microscopical & General Scientific Society.
The fifth meeting of the society was held on Nov 30, Mr. H.H. Corbett, M.R.C.S., (president) was in the chair. Mr. M.H. Stiles read a paper entitled “Notes on Photographic Printing.” The subject was delt with mainly in relation to the comparatively recent introduction of Gelatino-Chloride paper, the advantage of which were pointed out, and its mode of working described at considerable length. This particular paper affords scope for great variety of treatment, and examples were shown illustrating the results obtained by various toning baths, in which both gold and platinum were the active agents. The different styles of finishing , resulting in the production of a highly glazed or enamel surface, a dull or matt surface, and also a medium surface similar to that of albumenized paper, were described, and the methods adopted in working were shown experimentally. The platinum toning process seemed to be in favour with the writer of the paper, and though rather more expensive than gold toning, it has the merit of great simplicity, and, it is believed, increased permanence. The prints thus produced, when finished with a dull surface, possess much artistic beauty, the better examples resembling fine etchings. Mr. Stiles also drew attention to his plan of producing satisfactory prints from under or incorrectly exposed negatives, where the contrasts are excessive. It consists in the employment of a print from the same negative as a mask, care being taken in the arrangement, and the mask, which is attached to a sheet of glass, being moved very slightly occasionally, so as to avoid any duplication of the image. The paper was illustrated by a large number of photographs, some of which were much admired, especially the platinum-toned prints of views in the Lake District.