M u s i c  on  a  C h i n k  oƒ  L i g h t
SILVER GELATIN PRINTS - HANDMADE BY WILLIAM ELLIS
T H E  A R T I S T' S  E D I T I O N 

“Over the past few months I've enjoyed the time to lock myself away and rediscover my love for making black and white prints in the darkroom. This is where I began my career 40 years ago. The symbiosis of light and film when a photograph is created - and that of light and paper as the image appears in the dish - astonishes me still, decades on from my first experience of the magic.

Immersing myself in the art and science of making prints - and rediscovering so much in the re-treading of steps - has been an almost mystical experience. I have travelled in time and place from the sanctity of a tardis-like darkroom, crystallising memories, events and meetings along the way.

I have reviewed my archive and curated a collection of images to form the Artist's Edition limited to 20 peices which are handmade by myself in the darkroom from the original negatives.  ”

 W i l l i a m  E l l i s,  2 0 2 0


A B O U T  

THE NEGATIVES

The photographs were taken using largely Leica M series and Hasselblad cameras.
Film stock was Kodak Tri-X and Ilford HP5.
The negatives printed in Leitz and De Vere enlargers.

       THE PAPER

The paper used is premium quality gloss Ilford Warmtone Fibre Based Paper. This is extraordinary paper, I selected it because I love the luxuriously rich prints it made on it - warm deep blacks and wonderful creamy whites.
It might seem a little strange to be so rapturous about such an apparently mundane thing: but the print is the ultimate outcome and this paper type is the trusty messenger that bears it.
The depth of tone and richness of a silver gelatin print cannot be reproduced on any screen. They have a presence I find captivating.

THE PHOTOGRAPHS

Silver gelatin photographs are hand made in the darkroom from the original negative by myself applying a craft process which dates back to the 1880s.
The prints are made with silver halides suspended in a layer of gelatin on fibre based paper.' This process is carried out on the fly and requires quicksilver creative judgement and technical skills which are extremely rare in today's digital world.
Each silver gelatin print is in itself a unique piece displaying subtle variations in tone and contrast. With excellent archival permanence, its unique look and feel has made fibre based paper the standard for fine art photographers worldwide.

DOUBLE-THICKNESS ARCHIVAL MOUNT

ARTIST'S EDITION EMBOSSED

THE GALLERIES

There are I have made the prints in 3 sizes so that you can chose the one that best suits your home or office.

THE PRESENTATION

The photograph is signed, titled numbered and embossed 'Artist's Edition'.
Each is presented ready for framing in an elegant hand-cut double-thickness conservation grade window mount which is neutral in colour and lightly textured.

SIZES & PRICES

Handmade Silver Gelatin Photographs

Image size: 7.5 x 5" - made on 10 x 8"" paper
From an Edition of 20
In 20 x 16" double-thickness archival mount
£165.00

Image size: 12 x 8" - made on 14 x 11" paper
From an Edition of 20
In 24 x 20" double-thickness archival mount
£245.00

Image size: 18 x 12" - made on 20 x 16" paper
From an Edition of 20
In 28 x 24" double-thickness archival mount
£490.00
All sizes are approximate.
Bespoke sizes are available.
The print can be signed retro if you prefer.
If you would like your print unmounted in order to chose your own.
Email - info@william-ellis.com
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   M  O  N  O  

C  H  R  O  M  E

Silver print or gelatin silver print. Print process was introduced into general use in the 1880s.

These prints are made with silver halides suspended in a layer of gelatin on fibre based paper.'

National Portrait Gallery, London, England

ARTIST'S EDITION GALLERIES

The Artist's Edition

THE ARTIST'S EDITION MUSICIANS

THE ARTIST'S EDITION HAVANA

THE ARTIST'S EDITION NEW YORK