“Alternative Photography: An Ironic History,” an exhibition of processed prints developed by Sacramento State photography professors and students, is currently on display in the University Union Gallery.

The photographic artists are challenging the modern electronics of the desktop and going back to the basics of chemistry in the darkroom. The paper used for the prints is handmade, and the artists featured in this exhibit spent many hours in the dark room, rather than on a computer.

Artists who have adopted this 150-year-old process of chemical development in which photographic prints are made with gold, silver, mercury, and platinum, use an iron-based development that gives each piece the illusion of a textured surface.

“Iron-base is something you just can?t get with modern art,” said Professor Roger Vail, whose work is shown in the exhibition.

Robert Hernandez, a graduate from Sac State last year with a bachelor?s degree in photography, said he first selects paper for a particular piece of art, mixes up the precious metals into a liquid form, and then coats the paper with it.

“I want every art piece I create to be sensually appealing,” said Hernandez, whose work will be featured in the exhibition.

“Because of this iron-based development, my art is smooth, not edgy, and the art I create comes through like silk,” he said.

Tyghe Richardson, whose art is also on display in the exhibit, said the iron prints last much longer than a replicate of the multi-layered, silver-gelatin printing papers manufactured by big companies.

“Pure and total quality is what you get when you use iron-base print,” Richardson said.Mike Ware, who has iron-base art on display in the exhibit, said the purpose in revitalizing the iron-based alternative process is to enhance the richness and variety of the photographic medium. The aim, said Ware, is to place control of the print?s appearance where it properly belongs – into the hands of the printmaker.

“Alternative Photography: An Ironic History,” will continue through Sept. 14 in the University Union Gallery and will also feature the work of Leisa Barnes, Steven Baudonnet, Sergio Saenz, Paul Curtis, Sharon Kelley, Bill Jacobs and Mark Thiesen.

A reception for the exhibiting photographers will be held tomorrow from 6 to 8 p.m. at the gallery.