I have been tinting photos on matte paper, not fiber based. I like this very much, but I see a shine of where I painted from the side view or if the light hits it just right. Has anyone else had this problem? How could I fix this so the picture does not have the shine showing evidence of where I tinted and where I chose not to?

-- Joni Danson (dansonfamily@home.com), October 22, 1999

Answers

The best solution I know of is to spray the photograph with photographic lacquer. I use the Sureguard brand made by McDonald that I buy at the camera store. I have seen similar products at the art store (Hobby Lobby). First make sure that the (dry) photograph is lint free--always a problem if you use cotton swabs. Tape the corners down to a larger piece of cardboard to hold the photo flat. I wait until it is absolutely still and spray outdoors but at the very least use a really well ventilated area. If you shake the can hard just before using there is a strong possibility of air bubbles so I usually shake long before using and then just swirl the can just prior to spraying--a circular motion rather than an up and down motion. Finally, I have found it to be a good idea to make a brief spray away from the photograph to kind of clear the nozzle and tube. The directions suggest two coats but if the print looks OK after the first coat I see no reason to take a chance with a second coat.

Unfortunately, it is possible to mess up a print by spraying but I know of no other solution and always spray mine. I use fiber paper but have found that in the vast majority of cases I still need to spray. If you can, practice on a "less valuable" print and wait until it drys to judge the results. Good Luck!

-- Joe Miller (jmmiller@poka.com), October 22, 1999.

You might also try Renaissance Wax, an archival microcrystalline wax sold by Light Impressions.

-- Ed Buffaloe (edbuffaloe@unblinkingeye.com), October 22, 1999.

Ed, is that a product similar to a carnuba type wax? Some friends up in the desert use a carnuba based wax to seal their prints and it has a beautiful luster to it. Some guy wrote an article about the process but I don't know who or where. James

-- james (james_mickelson@hotmail.com), October 23, 1999.

hand tinting.

I guess it all depends on what type of product you are using.. Oils, charcoal..... I have been printing on matte paper also (Fuji Crytal Archive) and what seems to work best for me are photographic spotting pens. They are relatively cheap (35.00 Canadian) and the fine tips make it easy to colour or re-touch prints. You can get the at any photography store. They are called "SpotPen" and you can get them in colour and grey shades.

If you already use these then I don't know what else to use. Maybe get a matte spray for the finished print.

James

-- Hodgy (hodgy@isys.ca), October 24, 1999.