Many thanks, Álvaro. I got my recipes from various online websites and folks who have already done the hard work of trying various combinations of ingredients. The first recipe I tried was similar to C-M (see recipes in the Caffenol Cookbook link, below). The exact figures I don't recall, unfortunately. This did incur some fogging, although it still scanned well. The second one I tried was the C-H (once again, see the Cookbook link, below). This yielded very nice results, although they could be quite dense and contrasty, as they mention in the book (flatbed scanners might struggle with the range in standard b+w mode). The recipe I'm currently using and will probably stick with for the time being, at least, is Caffenol Delta (see second link). This is giving me lovely results with the two Kentmere emulsions. I hope this helps. Good luck!
You may have already come across this article which Ian Hill mentioned, but I thought of it on reading this. It sounds like you may have many adventures ahead.
Indeed, well worth a read. Both insightful and articulate, even a little poetic at times. It offers a vital alternative ecological philosophy for our art. Up to now I've used a proprietary to process my film, but it would seem that a saturated saline solution will also work, something I intend to look into.
Many thanks for sharing this article with me, I look forward to reading it. My film usage is fairly low so getting a feel for the subtleties of caffenol is a bit of a long-winded process for me. Still, so far so good, I feel no particular need to start using proprietary developers. Looks like this article will have some interesting insights. Thanks again.
Eco friendly developer, how cool! I think there’s a real return to analogue. I think it’s the tangible materiality of it in part. It’s easy to snap a gazillion photos but the mechanics of analogue is a whole different process. Thanks for sharing with us. 🙏🏻
Thanks Amanda. There is, indeed, something special about having that physical image in your hand. Caffenol - essentially coffee powder, vitamin C and washing soda, common household ingredients. Apparently, if one is feeling adventurous with it, the coffee can be substituted with curry powder, peppermint extract, even beer. The list of potential alternatives is quite extensive from what I understand.🤓
Nice results! Would you mind sharing your Cafenol formula? :)
Many thanks, Álvaro. I got my recipes from various online websites and folks who have already done the hard work of trying various combinations of ingredients. The first recipe I tried was similar to C-M (see recipes in the Caffenol Cookbook link, below). The exact figures I don't recall, unfortunately. This did incur some fogging, although it still scanned well. The second one I tried was the C-H (once again, see the Cookbook link, below). This yielded very nice results, although they could be quite dense and contrasty, as they mention in the book (flatbed scanners might struggle with the range in standard b+w mode). The recipe I'm currently using and will probably stick with for the time being, at least, is Caffenol Delta (see second link). This is giving me lovely results with the two Kentmere emulsions. I hope this helps. Good luck!
http://dickkoolish.com/rmk_page/misc/The%20Caffenol%20Cookbook%20&%20Bible%20-%20Recipes%20and%20Tutorials.pdf
https://www.caffenol.org/recipes/
Ohh thank you for sharing those resources! :))
You're welcome 🙂
Hi Ralph,
You may have already come across this article which Ian Hill mentioned, but I thought of it on reading this. It sounds like you may have many adventures ahead.
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Edward-Maughan-Carr/publication/341517376_Stare_into_the_Caffenol_to_Reveal_Your_Future_A_Sustainable_Vision_for_Analogue_Photography/links/5ec524f6a6fdcc90d68637d3/Stare-into-the-Caffenol-to-Reveal-Your-Future-A-Sustainable-Vision-for-Analogue-Photography.pdf?origin=publication_detail
Indeed, well worth a read. Both insightful and articulate, even a little poetic at times. It offers a vital alternative ecological philosophy for our art. Up to now I've used a proprietary to process my film, but it would seem that a saturated saline solution will also work, something I intend to look into.
Glad you found it helpful
Many thanks for sharing this article with me, I look forward to reading it. My film usage is fairly low so getting a feel for the subtleties of caffenol is a bit of a long-winded process for me. Still, so far so good, I feel no particular need to start using proprietary developers. Looks like this article will have some interesting insights. Thanks again.
Eco friendly developer, how cool! I think there’s a real return to analogue. I think it’s the tangible materiality of it in part. It’s easy to snap a gazillion photos but the mechanics of analogue is a whole different process. Thanks for sharing with us. 🙏🏻
Thanks Amanda. There is, indeed, something special about having that physical image in your hand. Caffenol - essentially coffee powder, vitamin C and washing soda, common household ingredients. Apparently, if one is feeling adventurous with it, the coffee can be substituted with curry powder, peppermint extract, even beer. The list of potential alternatives is quite extensive from what I understand.🤓