Bromoil is a printing method that was popular in the early 1900's. It was favored by the pictorials photographers of the day.

To produce a Bromoil print a black and white bromide image is printed so that all of the detail in the highlights and in the shadows can be seen clearly.

It is then bleached in a combination of copper sulfate, potassium bromide, and potassium dichromate solution diluted in distilled water. The result is a matrix, it is then dried. After the drying period the print is soaked in water which causes the gelatin to swell in proportion (the shadows lower and the highlights rise higher). A greasy pigment such as lithographic ink is then brushed or rolled onto the matrix.

It is at this point that the print becomes unique. The creative potentialis as great as your imagination. Each bromoil photograph in an edition of images from the same negative will have different characteristics. I feel that bromoil gives an artist the creative freedom to work with a brush and color. This hand finished method gives each print a different look since the ink is applied slightly different to each print individually.

Today's modern papers have flaws in them since they were not produced for the bromoil process. This also adds to the character and beauty of each print. Each print is handled as an individual and ?nished in its own unique way. Color markings and borders may also vary from print to print.

Why polaroids?

My interest in Photography began later in life then most people I was 50 years old before I took my first class in photography. I loved it from the beginning. First it was the darkroom, then alternate processes. I had to learn more. My background was always based in the fine arts, which I studied in the early 60s. After graduating The Fashion Institute of Technology I began as a fashion designer doing children's clothing. This job lasted 10 years until I retired to stay home with my young family.

My work in photography progressed very rapidly. Most of my work is based on the classical approach to art. Art history is was I look for inspiration. The love of alternate processes lead me to learn the Bromoil process. Which is replacing the silver in a silver gelatin print with lithographic inks.

Much of my work is contemporary in subject matter using modern film. I especially like Polaroid type 55 films since my work involves timed exposures and many double exposures. Polaroid film allows me to see the work instantly. This gives me the ability to know that the image is what I planned on. The contrast levels are very soft so that printing for Bromoil is very easy to control.

My work is shown throughout the US in many galleries. In this respect I have been very fortunate. The body of work I am showing here is about a group of people who I find most interesting. I hope you like them too.