I have been printing alot on Kodak Polycontrast III. I find the paper base to be too yellow, though I like the purpleish blacks. I tried some Ilford Multigrade IV and Ilford Cooltone. I don't see much difference between the two Ilford products, and I would not term either of them as having a "cool" tone - more of a brownish black than blue. I have used Dektol for all of this. Is there a way with changing the developer to make the Ilford more cool and the Kodak more warm (it would match the base much better)? I haven't tried toning the prints yet, but I plan to soon.

Also is there a paper that has a very white base with cool tones? Is there a creamy paper base with warm tones?

Thanks,

Larry

-- Larry Gebhardt (larry@gebhardts.net), May 09, 2002

Answers

Response to Does developer effect print color

Larry,

I think the Ilford Multigrade IV tones beautifully with selenium. The greenish cast shifts nicely over to the cool end. I usually start with a 1:10 dilution with permawash, for about 5 minutes.

-- Chris Jordan (Boston) (postmaster@jordanphoto.com), May 09, 2002.

Response to Does developer effect print color

Chris, thanks for the response. I will try toning the prints. I have been meaning to start doing this anyway for the archival properties, but this gives me an immediate reason.

My question still remains, and maybe I should rephrase it: If I tried different paper developers than Dektol, would they give different tones to the papers?

-- Larry Gebhardt (larry@gebhardts.net), May 09, 2002.

Response to Does developer effect print color

For cool tones I use Amaloco 3003, for warm tones Agfa Neutol WA. A real cool tone VC paper (FB) with bright base is Tetenal Vario Fine Art, a warmtone paper is Forte Polywarmtone FB

-- Marc Leest (classicphoto@leest.net), May 09, 2002.

Response to Does developer effect print color

Yes, different developers and different dilution ratios will give different tones. A paper with a higher bromide content will give cooler tones and warm tone paper will provide a creamy base , depending on develop type. Try seaguill for colder tones and Forte warmtone for warmer tones. Ansco 130 is colder, or try LPD 1:1 for a higher contrast range. ZonalPro warm tone developer may be a good choice for the Forte, altho, Super Platmium can give a very warm tone to that paper. When you printed with cool tone paper did you increase the development time to at least 2 minutes? that makes a difference.

;1

-- Ann Clancy (clancya@attbi.com), May 09, 2002.

Response to Does developer effect print color

I tried some Ilford Multigrade IV and Ilford Cooltone. I don't see much difference between the two Ilford products, and I would not term either of them as having a "cool" tone ------------

I havent tried Ilford cool tone, but certainly MGIV isnt cool. To answer the title question, Does developer effect print color? the answer is yes no and sometimes. Warmtone papers are actually more variable with developer than others, but you I dont think you'll ever get a cold tone (and good image) with a true warm tone paper. Papers like Seagull are cooler but also respond much less to developer changes. All other things being equal, phenidone is cooler than metol and benzotriazole (which you should use with phenidone anyway, but can always be added to cool the tone a bit)is cooler than bromide. You might try mixing up some ID-62 which is basically a phenidone Dektol. Leave out or reduce the bromide

hopefully this list wont come out too ugly:

Ilford ID-62 > > Water (at 125F) 750.0 ml > Sodium Sulfite (anhydrous) 50.0 grams > Hydroquinone 12.0 grams > Sodium Carbonate (anhydrous) 60.0 grams > Phenidone 0.5 grams > Potassium Bromide 2.0 grams > Benzotriazole 0.2 grams > Water to make 1.0 liter

I think there are several cold tone developers in the Darkroom Cookbook too

-- Wayne (wsteffen@skypoint.com), May 09, 2002.

Response to Does developer effect print color

that was pretty ugly. one more try

Ilford ID-62

> Water (at 125F) 750.0 ml

> Sodium Sulfite (anhydrous) 50.0 grams

> Hydroquinone 12.0 grams

> Sodium Carbonate (anhydrous) 60.0 grams

> Phenidone 0.5 grams

> Potassium Bromide 2.0 grams

> Benzotriazole 0.2 grams

> Water to make 1.0 liter

-- Wayne (wsteffen@skypoint.com), May 09, 2002.