The Woodburytype - Photographic Processes Series - Chapter 9 of 12

Woodburytypes are distinguished from other photomechanical processes by the fact that they are continuous-tone images. The process involves exposing unpigmented bichromated gelatin in contact with a negative. The gelatin hardens in proportion to the amount of light received. When the gelatin is washed, the unexposed portion dissolves, leaving behind a relief of the image. Under extremely high pressure, this relief is pressed into a sheet of soft lead, producing a mold of the image. This mold is then filled with pigmented gelatin and transferred to paper during printing. The process was invented in 1864 by Walter Woodbury and achieved acclaim for its exquisite rendering of pictorial detail and its permanency.
This project is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, grant number MA-10-13-0194.

[@Wileantzpix]

I can't say how much I APPRECIATE!!!!!!!!! this series!!!!! This is so very enriching as a young, growing, passionate photographer!! Thank you guys sooo very mcuh. This series was very rich, informative and a real blessing.

[@gwenc1371]

Fascinating series that really makes me appreciate how spoiled we are to have such easy and sophisticated cameras in our pockets that can easily produce thousands of photos.

[@carlstawicki1915]

I wonder how often the mold can be reused, considering it's made of soft lead. I'd love to see a demo of the entire process.

[@asifhusainarastu7193]

Beautiful !!!! Thank you for these videos.Helps in understanding the process so clearly

[@YvonneBynum]

I am an Art History major currently enrolled in History of Photography. Your video was very helpful in giving me a visual and a clearer understanding of the woodburytype process. Thank you.

[@rjlchristie]

One of my prize possessions is an 1894 publication of Tennyson's works that includes 9 Woodburytype plates of Gustave Dore's illustrations to Idylls of The King.
The continuous and deep tonal palette makes them far, far superior to dry modern reproductions of the Dore originals, which were engravings. They are absolutely stunning.

[@jogrev]

Nice process!!! Thank you for sharing it!!!

[@John-yv1oi]

I wonder why Eastman did not recognize Barret Oliver’s extensive and well documented book on the history of the process. I would recommend the book if you are interested in the history of the process. There is a short documentary film featuring Barret from the Huntington Museum in Pasadena, California available on their site as well as TH-cam. Though we value Eastman’s work on the history of the photographic process, they are not the only source and thought on the process as a whole. Barret provides a glimpse of the process, keep in mind he is a contemporary artist, writer, and educator utilizing an almost lost process.

[@Chiaroscuro1991]

None of these videos go into current literature … only a brief history and overview of the processes.

[@moseleenone7252]

Great vid on past printing processes! Wld like to try it out one day!

[@JohnnyReb]

Fascinating!

[@SO_DIGITAL]

very interesting series

[@michaelmcgee8543]

excellent!

[@agfamatic91]

i think i have a Woodburytype lead mold, it´s a picture of a man and his wife from somewhere during the 1800s. i want to try making a paper copy is there a recipe on how to mix the gelatine and dye and what type of pressure do i need? can i use an old book printing press?

[@eightyeightdays]

Make up a 10% solution of gelatine and mix in a little lamp black watercolour ink. Start with around 5g of pigment per litre of gelatine solution. The book press will be fine but demands muscle, and you can open it and peel your image after about 5 minutes. All of this is just a starting point, but seeing as you only want to view an existing image rather than make your own from scratch this info should suffice. Good luck!

[@andrewau1993]

where can i buy the music?

[@LDSRaichu]

I'm going to call it a photograph anyways cause I can