Thoughts regarding warm tone fiber based papers?

[MTGseattle]

I think my question is pretty straight forward, at least in my own head it is. I have a decent stash of warmtone paper (some recent, some older "classic" stuff that may have limited efficacy). Over the years I have only used warm tone stuff in a limited manner, and I can never decide if I am gaining an advantage through its use which likely means I am not.

Are there any generalizations such as warm tone is best suited for_____________________? Or is it in the eye of the printer? I know in the past (and maybe this still holds true for Ilford MGFB warm) toners can have interesting effects with it.

I very rarely make any portraits, so that use is basically moot.

I am only asking this now as I may offer some of my stash up for sale so that someone who truly loves warm tone papers or needs them might use them while I let them languish. Let the opinions fly.

 

[koraks]

Personally I don't think any kind of generalization will work here. It's photography. One of the neat things is we all tend to express ourselves differently. As soon as someone comes along to posit a "warmtone won't work for strongly geometric, graphic abstracts", someone else comes along and shows the most gorgeous print that breaks exactly that rule.

Unless it's taking up space you really need for other things, I'd hold on to it. Esp. the (slow) warmtone FB stuff can be expected to last long.

 

[MattKing]

If you tend toward warmer tone in your prints - by choosing the appropriate paper and/or toning - then warm tone paper is better.
Warm tone paper is itself often more responsive to toning.
When I share images digitally, I usually prefer that they lean toward the warm.
In other words, for people who like warmer image tones, warm tone paper is better!

 

[AnselMortensen]

I have been using only Ilford MGWT fiber, untoned, for the last year or so, for a long-term project.
I recently tapped into a box of the Art 300 paper, and a box of Fomatone Classic for some artsy portrait work, and love the plum-color tones resulting when those papers are strongly selenium toned.
I have some vintage Portriga Rapid that I hope to delve into at some point soon.

 

[retina_restoration]

I use warm tone papers exclusively, because the paper I used most in the 1980s was Agfa Portriga Rapid, and it was amazing. Fomatone Classic comes closest of all the modern warm tone papers, so that's what I use most. I simply don't like the cold nature of neutral papers.

 

[Alan9940]

I've found that, for whatever reason, I'm leaning more toward warm tone papers as I've gotten older. Go figure. But, if I was still photographing snow and ice like I did 40 years ago I'd most likely print those images on neutral to cold tone papers. I guess what I'm saying is that my preference is to tailor the color tone of the paper to the subject.

 

[MTGseattle]

Thanks for the replies so far. I think I just never gave it a fair shake before; Maybe 1 print out of 20. I need to buy some of that chemical that fights fog. I keep forgetting that stuff.

 

[AnselMortensen]

Benzotriazole.
Benzotriazole.
Benzotriazole.


Flic Film sells a pre-made solution, if you're not into mixing chems.

 

[brian steinberger]

Or PMT. Bellini sells a product called Anti-fog. It’s pure PMT. I’m using it to cool down papers but it’s meant for reducing fogging on older papers. Freestyle sells it.

 

[MTGseattle]

I ordered some.

As to the stash;

Most likely good- expired after covid---- Ilford MG Warmtone 16x20 glossy
Bergger prestige warmtone 16x20

heading into possible fog--expired pre-ccovid----- Forte elegance warm 20x24 and 11x14

Known to have some fog-- Agfa Portriga rapid 11x14--- expired in 1998 (my old stash that has been used here and there)

Untested--- Agfa Portriga rapid 11x14 and smaller
Agfa Brovira 8x10
some other older stuff I can't remember----- All pretty old and probably relegated to lith.