This is absolutely amazing! With the 200th anniversary of the famous Nicephore Niepce photo a few years away, I have decided I must master this process - or at least fail at it spectacularly! Best wishes from your new subscriber in Vermont. ❄️💙❄️
I am very pleased and wish you a lot of perseverance. I have already started to prepare my personal "look out the window". In the summer I would like to start. Many greetings Przemek
@@przemek.zajfert Thank you for your kind reply. I am very patient - and do not give up when I have a goal! Have you written any books or papers on heliography? I do not want to bother you with hundreds of questions! Stay safe and happy in your part of the world. Bradleigh 🐧
@@TheStockwell Unfortunately, have not written any papers on heliography. Niépce describes the technique in 1929: gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b8593641q/f5.image. I have experimented a lot and also tried a lot. It is simply exciting to rediscover such an old photographic technique.
@@przemek.zajfert I just saw your reply. Thank you! Nicéphore Niépce's own handwritten notes - astounding! My wife can translate them. I have found places to obtain the asphalt, lavender oil, and turpentine. Now, all I need is precise instructions on measurements and mixing - and days and days of sunlight. Good news: my research shows that a day on the planet Venus lasts 243 Earth days. A perfect place to make heliographs! 😸
Bitumen of judae mixed with water then an alloy sheet was coated with it and was heated and etch with the picture then exposed to light for more than 8hours don't know about the solution used to wash it later though maybe petrolleum
Hello Przemek, i've another question! i made a solution 6g asphalt +30 ml lavande. One year after my solution is dry in my bottle like if lavande was evaporated. Is it possible to put lavande in the bottle and get back my chemistres or it's better to make a now one.
Thank you for this!! If I use gasoline for the emulsion into the tinplate AND for developing the image, will it work? Lavander oil is getting expensive around here.
Thank you. Maybe better with turpentine, for example citrus turpentine or other types of turpentine. They are much cheaper than lavender oil. I sometimes use gasoline at the very end of processes for a quick wash. Niepce used running warm water, but it didn't always work for me.
Hello. I’m experimenting with the Heliotype process and just found your videos. Great work! A quick question. In your video description, do you mean 150ml lavender oil? 15ml would be so little that a paste would be made instead of a liquid so I think you mean 150ml. Also, is there a good way to contact you? I would like to ask some questions about your process if you’re open to it. Thanks! Looking forward to seeing more of your work!
The oil only takes a certain amount from the asphalt. You can also use more lavender oil; the longer you leave it on, the darker the varnish will become. For camera exposures, I coat a very light varnish to achieve the positive-negative effect. However, it's always a coincidence, and you can't really predict it
@@przemek.zajfert thanks for your reply. I realized I was wrong in assuming a larger volume was necessary. I was basing that on a different formulation I’ve been using where I dissolve 5g into 100ml solvent (I use xylene) and then dilute that further to 2.5%. You’re using a different formulation resulting in a much higher percentage solution re 3g into 15ml (16.67%). I decided to give it a try and mixed up a batch with your dilution (but still using xylene so we’ll see how that works). It’s sitting for a few days and then I will try it. I think I saw that you leave your plate exposing in sun for longer periods (a couple of days). Is that accurate? Thanks for your help.
Hello, I have a 2 questions about heliography. Your work is very impressive! WELL DONE! My first question: When you make your asphalt solution, do you wait a few days and filter your solution? My 2nd question, should your acetate negatives be fairly contrasty or normal negatives? Thank you for your information!
Hello, no I do not filter the emulsion. This year I used an emulsion that was about 5 years old. I take carefully with the brush without shaking the glass. My negatives have normal density. With denser negatives, the exposure lengthened quite a bit. I like to leave a lot of room for chance, so my working method is not very precise.
@@przemek.zajfert In your video, you put the emulsion with light and you let dry the plate on light. When i red notice of heliography of Niepce, and comments with Daguerre, they say to put the emulsion with a candle light. With your experience, does it change anything on the final photo to put and dry the emulsion on light? Thank you!
@@francosh27 The heliography process I use dates from 1822 to 1826, it is not a physautotype process, which Niépce developed with Daguerre in 1832 and the emulsion is much more sensitive than earlier methods of heliography. Unfortunately, I am not very familiar with the physautotype process. Best regards Przemek
I exposed like this years ago. I got exposure times of several days (in summer). What the Internet says about 8 hours, can not be true, there the asphalt emulsion is not hard enough :)
@@przemek.zajfert You are absolutely correct, Mr. Zajfert. The eight-hour exposure time was an assumption based on speculation about the shadows in the image. A modern researcher using methods and materials described by Niepce says the exposure time for this historic image was *several days.* Blimey! 😬
Yes. 3 years ago I used an 8x10 inch camera on a very thin asphalt. It was summer. An exposure time of 70 hours gave usable results. Niepce's first photography had to be exposed for much longer than 8 hours
@@przemek.zajfert Physautotype was claimed to have shorter exposure time than Heliography, and Physautotype photo takes 8 hours to expose. Now all these statements are finally consistent with each other!
@@sjhstone My exposure time was just 70 hours of sun. The camera was standing for about 1 week. At Physautotype makes the emulsion more sensitive and the exposure time is shorter. The first photo of Niepce (view from the window...) was not a physautotype, so the exposure time would have to be much longer than 8 hours. I speak from the experience of around 500 heliographies I have made so far.
@@przemek.zajfert Cool! Thank you very much for the information. I'm currently working on a short article about the invention of photography, and your reply really helps a lot!
It doesn't seem like the best idea since there's some space between the reflection and the image but idk, I'm no physicist nor do I have talent in making light simulations in my head lol
This is absolutely amazing! With the 200th anniversary of the famous Nicephore Niepce photo a few years away, I have decided I must master this process - or at least fail at it spectacularly! Best wishes from your new subscriber in Vermont. ❄️💙❄️
I am very pleased and wish you a lot of perseverance. I have already started to prepare my personal "look out the window". In the summer I would like to start. Many greetings Przemek
@@przemek.zajfert Thank you for your kind reply. I am very patient - and do not give up when I have a goal!
Have you written any books or papers on heliography? I do not want to bother you with hundreds of questions! Stay safe and happy in your part of the world. Bradleigh 🐧
@@TheStockwell Unfortunately, have not written any papers on heliography. Niépce describes the technique in 1929: gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b8593641q/f5.image.
I have experimented a lot and also tried a lot. It is simply exciting to rediscover such an old photographic technique.
@@przemek.zajfert I just saw your reply. Thank you! Nicéphore Niépce's own handwritten notes - astounding! My wife can translate them. I have found places to obtain the asphalt, lavender oil, and turpentine. Now, all I need is precise instructions on measurements and mixing - and days and days of sunlight.
Good news: my research shows that a day on the planet Venus lasts 243 Earth days. A perfect place to make heliographs! 😸
Very nice. Could i use this method to engrave the steel by electro etching??
Hi tcdp, also works with turpentine, gasoline, actually with anything that can dissolve the asphalt.
Przemek
Hi. I would like to know which materials did you use?
Bitumen of judae mixed with water then an alloy sheet was coated with it and was heated and etch with the picture then exposed to light for more than 8hours don't know about the solution used to wash it later though maybe petrolleum
Hello Przemek, i've another question! i made a solution 6g asphalt +30 ml lavande. One year after my solution is dry in my bottle like if lavande was evaporated. Is it possible to put lavande in the bottle and get back my chemistres or it's better to make a now one.
The bottle probably had a leak. Just add lavender. Best regards
Thank you for this!!
If I use gasoline for the emulsion into the tinplate AND for developing the image, will it work? Lavander oil is getting expensive around here.
Thank you. Maybe better with turpentine, for example citrus turpentine or other types of turpentine. They are much cheaper than lavender oil. I sometimes use gasoline at the very end of processes for a quick wash. Niepce used running warm water, but it didn't always work for me.
Wahou it s magic!
Thanks at you and at the genius Nicephore Niepce .
Are you trying with "bitume de Judee" like the pioneer Niepce?
Thx
Hello. I’m experimenting with the Heliotype process and just found your videos. Great work! A quick question. In your video description, do you mean 150ml lavender oil? 15ml would be so little that a paste would be made instead of a liquid so I think you mean 150ml. Also, is there a good way to contact you? I would like to ask some questions about your process if you’re open to it. Thanks! Looking forward to seeing more of your work!
The oil only takes a certain amount from the asphalt. You can also use more lavender oil; the longer you leave it on, the darker the varnish will become. For camera exposures, I coat a very light varnish to achieve the positive-negative effect. However, it's always a coincidence, and you can't really predict it
@@przemek.zajfert thanks for your reply. I realized I was wrong in assuming a larger volume was necessary. I was basing that on a different formulation I’ve been using where I dissolve 5g into 100ml solvent (I use xylene) and then dilute that further to 2.5%. You’re using a different formulation resulting in a much higher percentage solution re 3g into 15ml (16.67%). I decided to give it a try and mixed up a batch with your dilution (but still using xylene so we’ll see how that works). It’s sitting for a few days and then I will try it. I think I saw that you leave your plate exposing in sun for longer periods (a couple of days). Is that accurate? Thanks for your help.
Hello, I have a 2 questions about heliography. Your work is very impressive! WELL DONE! My first question: When you make your asphalt solution, do you wait a few days and filter your solution? My 2nd question, should your acetate negatives be fairly contrasty or normal negatives? Thank you for your information!
Hello, no I do not filter the emulsion. This year I used an emulsion that was about 5 years old. I take carefully with the brush without shaking the glass. My negatives have normal density. With denser negatives, the exposure lengthened quite a bit. I like to leave a lot of room for chance, so my working method is not very precise.
@@przemek.zajfert than you very much. I will make a new solution today. How many days do you wait when you make a new emulsion before to use it?
Until the bitum that did not dissolve is down, so 1 to 2 days
@@przemek.zajfert In your video, you put the emulsion with light and you let dry the plate on light. When i red notice of heliography of Niepce, and comments with Daguerre, they say to put the emulsion with a candle light. With your experience, does it change anything on the final photo to put and dry the emulsion on light? Thank you!
@@francosh27 The heliography process I use dates from 1822 to 1826, it is not a physautotype process, which Niépce developed with Daguerre in 1832 and the emulsion is much more sensitive than earlier methods of heliography. Unfortunately, I am not very familiar with the physautotype process. Best regards Przemek
Joseph used camera obscura. Have you tried replicating the camera obscura technique? That’d be soooo cool!
I exposed like this years ago. I got exposure times of several days (in summer). What the Internet says about 8 hours, can not be true, there the asphalt emulsion is not hard enough :)
@@przemek.zajfert You are absolutely correct, Mr. Zajfert. The eight-hour exposure time was an assumption based on speculation about the shadows in the image.
A modern researcher using methods and materials described by Niepce says the exposure time for this historic image was *several days.* Blimey! 😬
So is it more plausible to assume that the window photo by Niépce was exposed for a few days than eight hours?
Yes. 3 years ago I used an 8x10 inch camera on a very thin asphalt. It was summer. An exposure time of 70 hours gave usable results. Niepce's first photography had to be exposed for much longer than 8 hours
@@przemek.zajfert Physautotype was claimed to have shorter exposure time than Heliography, and Physautotype photo takes 8 hours to expose. Now all these statements are finally consistent with each other!
@@przemek.zajfert Ah, by the way, does your "70 hours" include nighttime, or only daytime exposure is counted?
@@sjhstone My exposure time was just 70 hours of sun. The camera was standing for about 1 week. At Physautotype makes the emulsion more sensitive and the exposure time is shorter. The first photo of Niepce (view from the window...) was not a physautotype, so the exposure time would have to be much longer than 8 hours. I speak from the experience of around 500 heliographies I have made so far.
@@przemek.zajfert Cool! Thank you very much for the information. I'm currently working on a short article about the invention of photography, and your reply really helps a lot!
Can I use a zippo lighter or electric grill instead of the preheated casting plate?
Does the plate have to be made of tin or other materials such as aluminum work?
Great video. Thanks :3
Thank you.
I have good results with aluminium sheet, copper and also tinplate.
I still want to try with brass sheet because of the yellowish colour.
Where can I learn this process?
hello, but must the Judean bitumen dry before putting it at the sun? and what can i use to develop the plate? (Sorry for my english, bit i'm italian)😅
Yes, it must be completely dry. After the exposure is developed in lavender oil or turpentine. I have also tried with petrol, it also worked
@@przemek.zajfert thanks, i will use petrol.👍
That's long . Wonder if a enlarger or silkscreen UV light would be quicker. Can you put the emulsion on water color paper?
Probably it will be faster. On paper also goes, but it comes very blunt.
Why the sun looking like a black hole?
hello, are there other materials that I can find at home, which are sensitized to the light beyond the bitumen of Judea? thank you
It might be that there are other materials which work but i did not try so far. Perhaps it can work with other graphic bithum.
@@przemek.zajfert ok, thank you!👍
There are juices which bleach in UV, and might be used. You cannot fix the photo tho like here
@@butlaoctu4464 thanks!
@@albertovitali5610 There's also physautotype, just rosin in alcohol, you probably already heard about it.
What a pre heated casting plate? Can you use a hot plate ?
You can also use other devices
can i use it in camera with lens
yes. it will take several days to expose, though
Would it be impossible with glass as a plate?
I tried that with Glass. Unfortunately, the results were not so good. It lacked the brilliance of the polished sheet metal.
@@przemek.zajfert would doing it with normal mirror change anything?
It doesn't seem like the best idea since there's some space between the reflection and the image but idk, I'm no physicist nor do I have talent in making light simulations in my head lol
@@butlaoctu4464 Probably. I would test it.
@@butlaoctu4464 I think you should do like Niepce did...just test and play with the medium.