Blank-Leaving Photographic Printing Method for Classical Prints

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Solution Overview

Problem

Classical photographic printing methods are limited by their even brushing approach, which restricts artistic expression and fails to provide a higher level of creativity in image presentation, lacking the ability to create more complex and stereoscopic images.

Innovation Solution

A blank-leaving type photographic printing method is introduced, where the room humidity is controlled, and a theme-prominent reagent is applied using a dropper and brush on classical photographic printing paper, allowing certain areas to remain blank, enhancing the visual impact and depth of the image by accentuating key elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an even brushing approach is used in classical photographic printing, then the image coverage is complete and uniform, but the artistic expression is limited and creativity is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveartistic expressionVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using a brush to selectively apply developer solution to specific areas of the photographic print rather than uniformly across the entire surface. This allows different regions to have different development characteristics, creating varied textures and tones that enhance artistic expression while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the development process by dividing the photographic print into multiple areas with different development treatments. Some areas receive brush-applied developer while others remain untreated or receive different treatments, creating a segmented visual effect that enhances artistic expression without significantly complicating the overall process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the image is spread all over the photographic print using traditional methods, then the coverage is complete, but the visual impact and artistic value are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual impactVSAvoidimage content
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts or removes the developer solution from certain areas of the photographic print by using a brush to apply it selectively rather than uniformly. This creates blank or lightly developed areas that enhance visual impact through contrast and negative space, while the developed areas retain the necessary image content

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the traditional approach by leaving certain areas blank or untreated rather than developing the entire surface. This inversion creates a more striking visual impact by using absence as much as presence, highlighting key elements through contrast with blank areas

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method transforms the traditional even brushing approach, providing a new visual experience by highlighting key elements and deepening the image's connotations, resulting in more aesthetically pleasing and diverse presentations that break the conventional image spread, thereby enhancing the artistic value of classical photographic prints.

Implementation Method 1

a picture is sun-cured under an ultraviolet lamp by a brushing approach

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotosensitivity: Photography

Implementation Method 2

irradiating for 2-15 minutes by an ultraviolet lamp

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotochemical reaction: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 3

dropping a liquid reagent on the theme-prominent reagent brushing area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 4

evenly brushing the liquid reagent with a brush along a single direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP3385790B1"blank-leaving" type photographic printing method for classical photographic prints
Publication Date: 2021.09.08 CAI YUAN
  • EP3385790B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The present invention relates to a blank-leaving type photographic printing method for classical photographic prints. The method breaks traditional form of spreading an image all over a photographic print and comprises the following steps: controlling room humidity; dividing an operation area, a theme-prominence reagent brushing area and a blank-leaving operation area on a piece of classical photographic printing paper; dropping a liquid reagent on the reagent brushing area; evenly brushing the liquid reagent along a single direction by use of a brush; resting the classical photographic printing paper for natural drying or completely drying by wind; placing a photographic film above the classical photographic printing paper, and irradiating by an ultraviolet lamp; separating the photographic film from the classical photographic printing paper and putting the classical photographic printing paper into a classical developing solution; washing the classical photographic printing paper with water; cleaning the classical photographic printing paper in a classical cleaning solution to remove residual liquid reagent; and taking out the classical photographic printing paper. Non-prominent portions in a classical photographic print are shielded by a blank-leaving approach, leading to missing contents on the surface of an image. The artful blank leaving can not only greatly increase the attention, but also better accentuate the theme to highlight the key points. Moreover, the external and internal connotations of the picture are deepened, thereby implementing more stereoscopic and diversified picture presentation, and greatly improving the aesthetic property and the visibility.