Submitted by Al …
(Adapted from The Encyclopedia of Photography ©1963)
Photo etching, also known as the bleach-out process, is a method of producing line drawings from photographs. The process has widespread use in the making of commercial illustrations for catalogues and in illustrating periodicals.
The drawing is done on the surface of a photographic print. Then the silver image of the print is bleached away, leaving the line drawing. Prints on matte-surface paper are usually preferred by those who use the process regularly. If the drawing is to be done in pencil, a paper having the ‘tooth’ of matte, or rough surface, is preferable.
To prepare a print for drawing by by the bleach-out process, expose it enough to show the fainter detail without ‘forced’ development. Then dilute the developer with several times its normal bulk of water and allow the print to stand in it only long enough to make those highlight details visible. At this stage, the image will be pale and slightly greenish in tint. The work of the drawing can be plainly seen as it proceeds.
The print is rinsed and fixed as usual. Washing is limited to 10 or 15 minutes, in order to avoid the accumulation of scum which sometimes forms in extended washing in hard water districts. When the print is hung up to dry, the surface water should be wiped off with a clean rag or sponge. This is to free the surface of any accumulations which might make drawing difficult.
Ink drawing done on the dry print must be done with ‘fixed’ India ink, such as Higgins’ Waterproof India Ink, because of the subsequent wetting. Almost any kind of pencil may be used to produce sketchy effects. When the work is finished, the image is removed by any kind of reducer or bleacher. An alternative method is to soak the print in a solution of iodine in potassium iodide and then in a plain hypo bath.
Care must be taken not to touch the drawing while it is wet. After a short rinse, it is hung up to dry again, with all evidences of the photographic process removed, with the pen or pencil drawing remaining.
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