Glossy Papers

[hoffy]

Not too long ago I was given an old pack of Ilford MGIV RC Glossy paper. I gave it a try and have to admit that I like the look of glossy, especially for portraits and higher contrast work.

From my experience, though, Glossy doesn't have the same following as perl or satin papers. Am I weird for liking it?

Also, from a Resin Core perspective, is there a Glossy paper I must try?

Cheers

 

[Gerald C Koch]

No, you're not weird. I perfer it except for portraits. Glossy paper and a neutral black image are a lovely combination.

 

[MattKing]

RC actually refers to Resin Coated, which itself is something of a misnomer.

I do like the MGIV RC Glossy Cooltone paper.

IMHO, glossy and cooler image tone go well together.

 

[mikebarger]

I agree, hard to beat a glossy blue/black paper.

Mike

 

[George Collier]

Many people have disliked the pearl surface over the years. I used it more in the late 60s and 70's, but my favorite now is glossy fiber base air (hung) dried. I use MGIV VC for testing and exploring, though, and there is something nice about the smooth hard finish.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

I've used glossy and preal surface over the years, still like them very much.

Jeff

 

[fschifano]

No, I don't think you're weird for liking the glossy surface. I think it's quite OK, though I do like the pearl surface too. Sometimes I like it better, because it doesn't shine so much. I'm annoyed sometimes by the reflections that a glossy RC paper gives off, and this is largely eliminated with a pearl or matte surface, which makes it more suitable for framing and hanging.

Unlike a lot of photographers on these fora, I really like RC papers. They look good, are easy to handle, are less prone to damage, are easy to wash to archival standards, and best of all they dry flat without the need for any extraordinary measures. Squeegee of the excess water and lay them out on screens for a couple of hours and you are done.

 

[hpulley]

It depends on the shot. For portraits I love glossy fiber MGIV but for fine art work I prefer the matt finish. In RC I think since it is coated it is already fairly shiny so I like pearl there for some reason, satin finish too. Some days the real wet look is making me think I need to ferrotype my glossy fiber... at times the print looks great until it dries and then it loses something but as I said for fine art the matt is just perfect, looks like an ink drawing rather than a photograph.

 

[ooze]

I've recently rediscovered glossy RC papers, having used air-dried glossy FB and pearl RC paper for years. I absolutely adore glossy Ilford Portfolio (a double weight RC paper) and glossy Ilfospeed. Especially the latter is a treat, IMO. Ilford have dropped all grades but Grade 3 of Ilfospeed, but if your negatives and enlarger light source fit the paper, and thankfully most of mine do, the tones you get with Ilfospeed can be stunning, with much better mid-tone separation than the MG papers.

There are two downsides to the glossy surface, though. First, they easily show fingerprints; second, they show fine scratches very easily. So, you need to be more careful when handling glossy prints.

 

[hoffy]

Thanks for all the replies. Looks like a new pack of Ilford glossy is in order the next time I go shopping.

In relation to Fibre Glossy's, must they be glazed to get the right finish?

 

[bdial]

In relation to Fibre Glossy's, must they be glazed to get the right finish?

Yes, to get the shiny look that would be the equivalent of MG RC glossy, fiber paper needs to be dried on a glazing sheet.

My holy grail is an RC paper that has the look of fiber glossy dried in air. I don't care for the textured look of Ilford's pearl surface, the semi-mat satin comes close, but seems too flat sometimes.

 

[hpulley]

I must be in the minority as I like the Ilford MGIV RC Pearl finish and find the Ilford MGIV FB Glossy to be similar in appearance when air dried. I like the MGIV RC Satin too. The Ilford MGIV FB matt is really matt when air dried, looks so much like fine arts that I love it for landscapes and still life but I prefer the glossy for portraits.

I do love the wet look of the glossy fiber so one day I might have to see about ferrotyping. I was thinking the glossy RC was too glossy but I might have to revisit it since I'm liking that look these days.

 

[brucemuir]

One thing to consider is if you will be mounting the shot behind glass.
Some prefer not to have a glossy paper and then have glass added to the equation.

 

[fschifano]

I do love the wet look of the glossy fiber so one day I might have to see about ferrotyping...

Ferrotyping is a black art, man. I've tried to do it a few times and it's not easy. I've never been able to successfully pull it off. Any tiny bit of dust, dirt, or oil on the plate and the print is ruined. Don't get every last air bubble out from between the print and the plate, and the print is ruined. Have a small scratch on the plate? It will show on the print, and the print is ruined. No thanks, man. I'm real happy with RC glossy when I want a slick finish. I get the finish I want, and it costs less too.

 

[hpulley]

Ferrotyping is a black art, man. I've tried to do it a few times and it's not easy. I've never been able to successfully pull it off. Any tiny bit of dust, dirt, or oil on the plate and the print is ruined. Don't get every last air bubble out from between the print and the plate, and the print is ruined. Have a small scratch on the plate? It will show on the print, and the print is ruined. No thanks, man. I'm real happy with RC glossy when I want a slick finish. I get the finish I want, and it costs less too.

Noted, thanks!