The ferrotype and how to make it - The Grian Press

THE COLLODION PROCESS. 109
drapery. A little practice gives one the ability
to decide when the development has proceeded
far enough. Just before this point has been ar-
rived at, the surplus developer which remains
upon plate is allowed to drain into the funnel over
which the operation has been performed, for a
second or two after which the image must be
watched, as the development still goes on; and
when sufficiently advanced, the plate is held un-
der the water until all trace of the developing
solution has been washed away, which may be
known by the plate assuming a smooth, glossy
appearance, but while any trace of the developer
remains on the surface, it will have a streaked or
mottled appearance, as if oil had been poured
on—some such appearance as it presents when
too soon withdrawn from the nitrate bath.
During the development of the plate, if one
part comes up quicker, or if there is more than
one picture, and the time of exposure has been
difficult and one picture develops quicker than
the other, the action of the developer may be
checked on that one by holding it under running
water, allowing the water to touch only the particular
part where the effect is to be produced. By
holding that portion of the plate lower than the
other, the development may still go on, on the
remaining portion of the plate, and the pictures
may thus be made alike in tone and brilliancy.
The plate having been develo})ed and washed,
is now to be fixed or cleared, for which purpose