Gum bichromate is a 19th century photographic printing process based on the light sensitivity of dichromates. Gum printing is traditionally a multi-layered printing process, but satisfactory results may be obtained from a single pass. Any color can be used for gum printing, so natural-color photographs are also possible by using this technique in layers.
If the print is made using good quality 100% rag (cotton) white or bright hotpress watercolor paper and processed correctly the prints are very archival.
A photographic printing process invented in the early days of photography when, in 1839, Mungo Ponton discovered that dichromates are light sensitive. William Henry Fox Talbot later found that colloids such as gelatin and gum arabic became insoluble in water after exposure to light. Alphonse Poitevin added carbon pigment to the colloids in 1855, creating the first carbon print. In 1858, John Pouncy used colored pigment with gum arabic to create the first color images. Gum bichromate From Wikipedia
October Moon, I am the Night – Gum Bichromate Photograph Copyright © 2007 Billy Mabrey
Billy Mabrey Gum Bichromate Photography website has some wonderful images using the Gum Bichromate process and he has great Gum Printing Tutorials.
Gum Bichromate Process Art and Science website by Hamish Stewart has a great Technical summary including a a step by step guide to gum printing.
An introduction to the gum bichromate process is worth looking over at AlternativePhotography.com.
The Book of Alternative Photographic Processes
Coming into Focus: A Step-by-Step Guide to Alternative Photographic Printing Processes
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