The fuss about Pyro

All the 'fuss' is because PMK develoer produces negatives that print with unusual depth and luminosity. (Luminosity is that rare quality in a print that makes it seem to be lit from behind, a glow, if you will.) In addition, because PMK is a staining developer (part of the density is made up of stained gelatin instead of silver halide grains) there is very low graininess. PMK forms Mackie lines, giving extreme sharpness and acutance. PMK was formulated by Gordon Hutchings ten or so years ago and was not available to Edward Weston or Ansel Adams. PMK is no more dificult to use than any other developer once it has been mixed into stock solutions. You must use a water stop bath as acid will remove the stain. Likewise you must use a non-hardening fixer, like F-24. The best fixer (for any film) is Photographers Formulary TF-4 alkaline fixer. There is a little more time due to the 'redevelopment' of 2-3 minutes after fixing. Instructions are provided in the mix kit available form Photographers Formulary (http://www.montana.com/formulary/) or 'Gordon's Book of Pyro' or Steve Anchell's 'Darkroom Cookbook.' If we strive to produce 'fine prints,' then going to a little more trouble to achieve them should not meet with so much resistance. Anyone can produce mediocre work without much trouble. I hope we are beyond that!

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