Photogravure

Photogravure is a 19th century photomechanical printing process I studied at Southern Illinois University. Through myriad steps(30 something as I recall), one applies a gelatin 'resist', which was made light-sensitive and exposed to a photographic B/W positive and a reticulated screen pattern, to a copper plate. Using hot water, the paper backing of the gelatin resist is removed. The plate is dried, then etched in an acidic iron solution; the areas of gelatin exposed to the greatest amounts of light are thick, and thus prevent etchant from reaching the copper surface. Areas that received low exposure are thin, and etch more deeply. The plate is then inked like a conventional copper etching plate; the images are printed on a flatbed etching press. It is a beautiful and demanding process; nothing can match the richness and image density that it can deliver. However, the many steps involved in creating the plate can all affect the final image- it can take a long time to find out you screwed up- the pre-press work is spread out over 2 days! I was curious about putting these images on a computer screen; these images do convey a small part of the original prints' qualities.

Trees-Chicago 1982

near Cedar Lake Resevoir- Illinois 1982

Faner Hall, SIU-C 1982

Grant Park- Chicago 1982

Shryock Hall, SIU-C 1982

Cedar Lake- 1983

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