Selecting Paper

[Alan9940]

I really like 11x14 format but then remembered to do contacts of that I'd need an 11x14 camera!

If you do experiment with pt/pd printing (I believe you mentioned this as an option), you could create 11x14 digital negs from any smaller format film or digital image file.

[Two23]

I would advise sticking with RC until you can get prints you like. Note that RC paper is available in warm-tone.

When starting out most of the prints you make will go in the trash. Not using expensive paper is a matter of economy. You should not feel constrained from experimentation. Get all the dodging and burning down pat. Experiment with toning. Try 'Lith' development.

After everything is all copacetic with the RC print then print the image on DW or 'Art' fibre based paper.

Yes, that's my plan. I went through a dozen sheets pretty fast last week!

[Dugan]

Yup.
As suggested above...practice, practice, practice.
Mistakes aren't really mistakes, they're lessons in disguise.
RC paper is much less costly to practice with....and you can practice toning with it, as well.
Sometimes toners will affect the print surface of RC papers, so be aware of that.

[xkaes]

Sometimes toners will affect the print surface of RC papers, so be aware of that.

Care to expound????

[Dugan]

I had some Kodak Brown Toner affect the glossy surface of Kodak Polycontrast III RC prints, leaving an etched swirly-haze look to the surface. It was not there before the toning step.