Hello, would anyone recommend a great reference for retouching an 8x10 negative. I have a negative retouching book from the 1960's but it lacks the detail in photos to understand the concept of the areas to pencil, etc. Visually, I need to see a step by step guide to go along with this book. Hurrell perfection is my goal. Thanks.

-- Amie Burns (zeistudio1@aol.com), January 18, 2002

Answers

Amie, Typically one would use a retouching machine which is essentially a vibrating stage and a backlite with a padded magnifier. I acutally saw one on ebay recently. You use soft lead pencils made for this purpose and a toothy negative... TXP (and Forte Films) were great because they used to have a decent "tooth" to the emulsion side. If the negative doesn't have a tooth, I used to put one on with retouching laquer... don't even know if that is still available (Kodak used to make it). After that you would procede to put on layers of lead to remove lines and blemishes essentially building up the thinner parts of the negative. It is a lost art I pressume but we old guys remember it back before Photoshop... I don't really recall ever seeing to many books on it at all, as well as spotting prints, but there might be some dribs and drabs still around. Hope this helps a little... Cheers

-- Scott Walton (scotlynn@shore.net), January 18, 2002.

A lady named Veronica Cass wrote books and conducted seminars on retouching for many years. She taught at the Professional Photographers of America (PPofA) Winona school and other venues. You may be able to find used books and materials by checking portrait photography sites. ...As for achieving Hurrell perfection, you'll need lots of practice. Go to it!

-- Andy Eads (aceads@3-cities.com), January 18, 2002.

www.veronicacass.com may be the place to start...

-- Dave Richhart (pritprat@erinet.com), January 18, 2002.

Amie, Veronica Cass's stuff is great for color, but I suppose you're concerned with B&W. While the basics (brush handling, etc.) are the same for B&W and color, there are important differences for B&W. Look for Kodak's book by Vilia Reed; it's FULL of good, useful how-to and product information on B&W, including the retouching fluid previously refered to. Also try contacting The American Photographic Artisans Guild (an old address I have is: P.O.Box 699, Port Clinton, OH 43452..it may still be good, or perhap you can search the web) ...they put out a booklet called "Here's How", a compendium of retouching advice, including a lot from old timers. Mark Vieira, owner of The Starlight Studio in Los Angeles, studied a bit with Hurrell. Contact him, if he's not too jealous with the information. The Adam's Retouching machine might be a bit impractical for a negative as big as 8x10, because you need to see a good deal of the face ...not even sure an 8/10 neg would fit. Better to use a retouching desk instead. I might have some info on my bookshelves, if I get a chance to look...I'd be interested to know what you have from the '60's. Best, Chrsitopher

-- christoher Nisperos (christopher.nisperos@free.fr), March 02, 2002.

Amie, Veronica Cass's stuff is great for color, but I suppose you're concerned with B&W. While the basics (brush handling, etc.) are the same for B&W and color, there are important differences for B&W. Look for Kodak's book by Vilia Reed; it's FULL of good, useful how-to and product information on B&W, including the retouching fluid previously refered to. Also try contacting The American Photographic Artisans Guild (an old address I have is: P.O.Box 699, Port Clinton, OH 43452..it may still be good, or perhaps you can search the web) ...they put out a booklet called "Here's How", a compendium of retouching advice, including a lot from old timers. Mark Vieira, owner of The Starlight Studio in Los Angeles, studied a bit with Hurrell. Contact him, if he's not too jealous with the information. The Adam's Retouching machine might be a bit impractical for a negative as big as 8x10, because you need to see a good deal of the face ...not even sure an 8/10 neg would fit. Better to use a retouching desk instead, though the machine would certainly make things easier. I might have some info on my bookshelves, if I get a chance to look...I'd be interested to know what you have from the '60's ... maybe we could exchange info? Best, Christopher

-- Christoher Nisperos (christopher.nisperos@free.fr), March 02, 2002.