Hi folks,
I have a yen to try using selenium to tone my prints. My question is whether se lenium is useful for prints developed on RC paper? Thanks for sharing...
Robb Reed
Hi folks,
I have a yen to try using selenium to tone my prints. My question is whether se lenium is useful for prints developed on RC paper? Thanks for sharing...
Robb Reed
Rob: I routinly tone my show prints made on Kodak Polycontrast III in selenium. I do not go for a very large color shift...just enough to take the green tint out of the paper and to intensify the image. My procedure is as follows: process the print normally, fix for three minutes in Kodak Fixer (from powder), rinse for 3-5 minutes, then into a non-hardening fixer for three minutes. I have had the best results using Ilford fix for the second fixing bath. You can use the liquid rapid fix and don't add the hardener. Then into a 1-20 or 1-30 dilution of selenium toner for about 5 minutes. Don't drain the print between the fix and the selenium. Then give the normal wash. If you want a more pronounced color shift, reduce the dilution of the selenium. I find the "E" surface paper tones quite well. Hope this helps, Doug. There are those who will tell you that RC will not tone, but I have made some beautifully toned prints with RC.
For a while I was printing a lot on Illford Multigrade RC, which some people say "doesn't tone." I routinely toned final prints, like Doug, just to cut the greenish cast and slightly intensify. About 3-5 min in 1:20 toner solution did it; much more and the color started to turn from nuetral to purple. Although the effect is subtle, it is quite evident when comparing toned and untoned prints.
Robb should you require a more pronounced colour in an RC print, try Ilford's ne w Multigrade Warmtone RC,pearl surface. This gives a beautiful 'plummy-brown' co lour in selenium diluted 1:9 and toned for about 1-2min. If you time it right yo u can even get a split tone.
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