Fotospeed BT20 Blue Toner - How to "tone" it down

[dj_judas21]

I've been experimenting with toners over the past few months and I've found a warm look I like when using selenium or sepia toners. However recently I took a picture in a cathedral which I think calls for a subtle, cool blue tint. I bought an inexpensive blue toner - Fotospeed BT20 Blue Toner. I'm using it with Kentmere VC Select RC paper.

I'm having real issues getting the image under control. Every print comes out fully saturated in an almost cyan blue. I've followed the instructions for intensifying/darkening the toner but it didn't produce much of a noticeable effect. I spent all evening at it and made countless test strips but I didn't get the look I want. The closest I got was by dunking the print in the blue toner for about 2-3 seconds. Needless to say, the toning was uneven and not acceptable.

And yes, I double-checked that I diluted the concentrate properly to make the working solution

So, the questions:

• Has anyone used Fotospeed BT20 blue toner before, or a similar toner?
• To get a more subtle effect, and a longer toning duration, would I be wise to start diluting the working solution 1+1? 1+4?
• Is blue toner the only/best way of achieving a cool blue tone?

For reference, this is the image and the look I want to achieve. Please note this was scanned directly from the B&W negative and digitally given the cool blue tint. I want to replicate this look in the darkroom.



Thanks in advance for your collective wisdom

 

[Gerald C Koch]

From the Freestyle website http://www.freestylephoto.biz/3061321-Fotospeed-BT20-Blue-Toner-500ml-(Makes-4-liters)

Fotospeed BT20 Blue Toner is a liquid toner which is supplied in a three part concentrate that makes a single working solution. It is specifically designed for the toning of Fiber and Resin Coated B&W papers. The shade of the Blue tone is adjusted by the length of time the print is allowed to stay in the working solution. The longer it remains in the solution the more toned it becomes. (emphasis is mine)

Do some experimenting first with unimportant prints to determine the correct time.

 

[dj_judas21]

Thanks for your reply. I read the instructions that came with the toner (which are the same as the ones you found online). As I said in my original post, my experiments showed that the ideal time for the look I want is about 2-3 seconds, because the toner is so fast acting. I think it needs to be diluted but I wanted to get some advice from more experienced toner-users before I (irreversibly) dilute my working solution.

 

[Simonh82]

Not an inexpensive option but gold toner is probably the thing you are looking for. It will give a lovely cold tone and is easily controllable.

As you aren't getting the results you want, trying a higher dilution of blue toner can't hurt.

 

[dj_judas21]

Not an inexpensive option but gold toner is probably the thing you are looking for. It will give a lovely cold tone and is easily controllable.

As you aren't getting the results you want, trying a higher dilution of blue toner can't hurt.

I diluted the blue toner at various strengths and experimented. As you'd expect, more dilute toner had a weaker effect and took longer to achieve it. However, even with the toner diluted 1+3 and with a toning time of 30s of continuous agitation, it was still giving uneven toning and "bald" untoned patches. Regrettably, I think this blue toner just isn't great for subtle toning.

So now, I just need to persuade my wife to let me buy some gold (toner)

 

[dj_judas21]

More as a point of interest, here are some of the small test prints I made while experimenting with the toner (I cut up a few sheets of 10x8" paper into small squares). After I made the tests prints, these were left lying around in the darkroom for a couple of days and some got splashed with various stuff, hence the stains.

• I really wanted just a cool tone that barely looked blue - number 12 seems closest to this but even then that has a patch in the middle that is not properly toned, and the shadows are not strong enough.
• Number 5 has nice shadows but is too blue.
• Number 3 is an interesting effect and one I might use again.
• Number 9 is also an interesting effect, which definitely gives the impression of light

 

[pentaxuser]

We all see things differently but no. 7 seems quite close to what you had posted originally and at least with 7 the toning is even.

Like another poster has said I think the very subtle cold blue grey look you want is most likely to be achieved by a gold toner. Not cheap but then if it's what you want there is always a price to be paid unfortunately.

pentaxuser

 

[dj_judas21]

True, on the scans number 7 does seem quite close. In reality, it isn't the look I wanted. I guess that's the peril of scanning and digital reproduction.

I don't object to paying good money for something worthwhile (good lenses, nice paper, gold toner) but first I need to rule out the cheaper alternatives. I've now done that - time to upgrade