Split Tone Printing

[jetcode]

The Swiss Alps at Zermott, 1997 - I had 15 minutes to get this before the last train down the mountain. It's nice in color too but I've been playing with the possibility of using split tone techniques to generate visual contrast. This image is toned twice.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3237/2704720330_6665bf2a26.jpg

Here's another one of the dunes toned 3 times. This image is interesting geometrically.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3090/2703090910_5139079c60.jpg

Anyone else print using split tone techniques?

[Donald Miller]

Joe, I am unsure if you mean split tone using traditional methods or digital. I have used a two step with sepia and selenium on traditional paper and I have used several split toning effects using the MIS minus yellow inkset and QTR.

The QTR seems to allow more input into the toning effects. However, by the same token, traditional prints by Roman Loranc are absolutely stunning.

[jetcode]

In the images I supplied I used digital toning in RGB. To me the process is separate from the artistic angle and that's what interests me most.

[D. Bryant]

In the images I supplied I used digital toning in RGB. To me the process is separate from the artistic angle and that's what interests me most.

Joe,

On my monitor, I can't discern a split tone. However, I think your images are very nice.

Don Bryant

[jetcode]

Joe,

On my monitor, I can't discern a split tone. However, I think your images are very nice.

Don Bryant

The effect is supposed to be subtle to the eye. You would be amazed at how much difference there really is, it's subtle but makes an impact.

[Donald Miller]

Joe, I can pick up a split in the foreground of both images. The top image has a cool greenish cast in the foreground and lower image has a warm...sepia like coloration in the same place. I am not sure about the mid distant and far distant ...I can not make out a split if one exists in that area.

I have a question...Did you make a selection and then alter the hue in those regions? It would seem to me that this would be the easiest way to accomplish this on these two images.

I agree with Don Bryant...these are very nice images.

[jetcode]

Joe, I can pick up a split in the foreground of both images. The top image has a cool greenish cast in the foreground and lower image has a warm...sepia like coloration in the same place. I am not sure about the mid distant and far distant ...I can not make out a split if one exists in that area.

I have a question...Did you make a selection and then alter the hue in those regions? It would seem to me that this would be the easiest way to accomplish this on these two images.

I agree with Don Bryant...these are very nice images.

I used photo filter with selective masking. In the second image the effect is layered front to back intending to generate a fairly smooth transition. The transition between the foreground and middle ground may be too intense based on the actual distance between dunes.

[jetcode]

traditional prints by Roman Loranc are absolutely stunning.

agreed ... if I could print like that I would

[phaedrus]

Duotone or tritone printing is very common in photo books, one of the finest examples can be experienced in Michael Kenna's "Hokkaido".
I use similar techniques for duotone printing on the inkjet printer and in the wet darkroom.
In the first case, I make two copies of the base layer after selecting by tone, one for the highlights, one for the shadows and make sure the selections overlap. The shadow layer gets toned with blue (200 degrees on the colour wheel) and the highlight layer with yellow (55 degrees). Add a gradation layer and a desaturation layer, adjust layer transparencies to taste, collapse layers. All but the last two steps are in an action set.
In the wet darkroom, I develop the print for one minute in a cold tone developer, then snatch it, water it and develop it out in a warm tone developer. If I later strongly selenium tone it, I get a tritone print. This works well with Ilford FB warmtone.
And, as has been said before, the toning needs to be subtle to work. We're no longer in the 70-ties!
Best regards, Christoph