Slow photography

A gum print is created using an emulsion composed of three components: gum arabic, a dichromate, and a pigment. The papers typically used are made of 100% cotton to endure the rigorous processes involved, such as prolonged exposure to water. The emulsion is applied to a prepared (pre-shrunk and sized) paper using a brush. Once the paper dries, a negative matching the desired print size is placed on the emulsion-coated side of the paper, which is then exposed to a UV light source. The UV light hardens the dichromate-gum arabic-pigment mixture in proportion to the amount of exposure it receives.

The paper is then developed in plain water, which washes away the unhardened emulsion, corresponding to the highlights of the image. Development can take as long as two or three hours. Afterward, the print is dried, and additional layers can be added if desired. For multi-color prints, this process is repeated with a different negative for each color. Some gum printers prefer to use very thin layers to achieve better control over the colors. Others create prints with up to 16 layers. While I don't use that many layers myself, I frequently make more than four layers for a single color print.

At first glance, the process appears straightforward: three ingredients and quality paper. However, after working with this technique for some time, I've come to realize its complexity. I’m not alone in finding this process deeply captivating. Despite being labor-intensive, it carries a meditative quality, offering a rewarding experience in creating prints the slow and deliberate way.