Blue cast in RC Glossy paper

[ic-racer]

I was reading the RC thread and just wanted an opinion from those that use RC glossy paper.

I have prints from the 70s on this RC glossy paper and I stopped using it because I could not stand the blue cast to the reflections in the black areas. Does anyone else get this? The paper was Kodak Polycontrast RC. I know the emulsion is said to be on the surface of the plastic, but the annoying thing about this is that is makes it SEEM like there is a blue plastic covering over the black areas.


BTW I re-started some occasional RC use in 2000 when I discovered Ilford RC PEARL, as it does not have the blue cast (or if it is there, it is suppressed by the satin finish). But when I re-tried the Glossy, the blue cast was still there, just like 30 years ago.

I just wondered how people deal with this blue. Am I the only one that sees it? Do you ignore it, or are there some tricks to make it less pronounced? I have tried both ammonia and sodium thiosulfate and it does not seem to change things.

 

[rwyoung]

I don't know what causes the metamerism (probably didn't spell that right) but I've seen the same thing in several brands of RC glossy. Most recently and quite pronounced in a box of glossy Arista.Edu Ultra (Foma). For that matter, I've seen it in lots of inkjet prints on glossy papers too (dye vs. pigment ink unknown). The colors shift and do odd things as your viewing angle changes.

For what its worth, I think it has more to do with the paper finish than the processing. Selenium toning (1+3 and 1+9) made no real difference other than the color of the print. The metamerism was still there. I don't believe I've seen in the effect in matte/pearl RC paper and never in glossy fiber paper.

Personal preference is for a matte/pearl finish in RC and glossy in fiber. Seems to minimize the effect.

 

[ic-racer]

Thank you. I was wondering if it was just me that was sensitive to that. I'm teaching my daughter traditional darkroom technique and she wants to do some 'Glossies.' So I was wondering if I can expect to see the blue cast again if we buy some Ilford RC Glossy.

 

[Ian Grant]

Optical brighteners

Ian

 

[Paul Verizzo]

Since you are using Foma/Arista, try the "semi-matte." I love it. It's a dead ringer for the Kodak N surface, one of only two that they make anymore, in color. Whether it will fix your problem or not, I don't know, but if glossiness is the culprit, it should. I've never knowingly seen it on any RC paper I've used; Ilford, Agfa, Kodak, Varycon, Forte.