File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
Hey /p/

I'm playing with a new way to make prints of my photos, since viewing them on screen is boring and inkjet photo paper is pretty much just as boring.

So what I've done is print the images in monochrome on my laser printer and then transfer the toner to a copper board (10cm by 16cm). The pattern holds nearly perfectly and while you do end up with a monochrome image, it's on a thick piece of fibreglass with a shiny copper top and your photo in matte black toner.

I did some today and really, really like the effect. It doesn't work for every photo, but does work nicely for some (especially if they have high contrast).

Pic related, the first one I tried.
EXIF data available. Clickhereto show/hide.
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>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
This was the second attempt. It didn't work so well, but the picture wasn't so great for it either. Still, the result is really impressive when viewed in person.

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeCanonCamera ModelCanon EOS 400D DIGITALCamera SoftwareBibble 4.10aImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution300 dpiVertical Resolution300 dpiImage Created2008:06:15 12:42:39Exposure Time5368709/268435456 secF-Numberf/1.8Exposure ProgramManualISO Speed Rating200Lens Aperturef/1.8Exposure Bias0 EVFlashNo FlashFocal Length50.00 mmImage Width3032Image Height2074Exposure ModeManualWhite BalanceAutoScene Capture TypeStandardContrastNormalSaturationNormalSharpnessNormal
>> Anonymous
gimmick to make boring photos interesting.
>> Anonymous
>>206360
photos had sentimental value for father's day despite being boring, though.
It works just as well for good photos.
>> Anonymous
>>206358
I like this one, It's interesting what you're doing, keep it up.
>> Anonymous
>>206364
I agree. /p/ and photography in general need experimentation. Keep working at it, I reckon this has potential for awesome.
>> Anonymous
cool idea!
>> Anonymous
>>206364
>>206383
Thanks! I plan to try it with some more photos tomorrow, hopefully ones that work a bit better.
The main problem is large continuous areas of black, since the toner overheats in parts and doesn't transfer properly. Finding another way to make it monochrome would be useful too, since this method leaves dots that are funny shapes and make it pretty clearly digitally done when viewed up close.

The other thing I want to test is how permanent they are - toner shouldn't fade, but I don't know if it will come off the copper board.
>> Meese !iZn5BCIpug
>>206383
go back to /da/ and take some XTREME hdr pics kthxbye
>> Anonymous
>>206391
this is pretty extreme hdr - a range of everything from "black" to "not black" and nothing in between!
>> Anonymous
fuck, you're un-b& already?
>> Anonymous
>>206357

I like this idea.

What is actually involved in transferring the toner to the copper? Where would one get good (cheap!) copper for this sort of project?

And the important question: How well does it hold up to various temperatures, moisture or children's hands?
>> Anonymous
>>206412

Depends on what country you live in. The copper is actually PCB (printed circuit board, normally the green things in computers) stock.
It costs about $1 per 10x16cm sheet in tiny quantities, drops quickly as you buy more.

In the UK: www.rapidonline.com code 34-0860
In the US: www.mouser.com code 590-506

Then you print them onto a transparency (generallly you can pick these up in Staples or similar, get laser ones) using your laser printer in black and white. Cut out your image with a bit of a border.
Get out the ironing board and iron, place a piece of tissue paper on the ironing board, place the copper board on top of that, place the transparency on top of that and tape it down at the edges. Place another piece of tissue paper over the top and iron it for about 5 minutes at the second-highest temperature (generally).

Then dump the board and tissue and transparency into cold water and peel off the transparency while still in the water.


It should hold up to any temperature until it's about as hot as the iron, at which point it'l probably smear if you try (but when's it gonna get that hot?)
Moisure should be fine, and it can get wet without problem, but leaving it in high humidity may let the copper separate from the base.

As for kids, while they won't be able to smear the toner off, the copper does pick up fingerprints - it can be cleaned, but the best bet would be to protect it somehow.
>> Anonymous
>>206663

Awesome. Time permitting, I'm going to give this a go in the near future. Seems cheap enough to at least try a few and see if I like it.
>> Anonymous
>>207790
Sweet, be sure to post your results!
>> Anonymous
This is pretty cool.

I bet you could coat the board lightly with a clear varnish to protect the image and keep the copper from oxidizing.