Gold toner

Cheryl Jacobs · Sep 12, 2003

I've never used gold toner, and have been told that I might use it for blue tones on certain papers. Any tips, before I spent any future inheritences on it? I typically use Ilford and Forte Elegance fiber papers.

I should add that what I'm looking for is a pronounced blue toner that is more subtle than what I have been able to get from Berg blue toner (greatly diluted.) If toners other than gold would work for this purpose, I'd love to hear about them.

Thanks in advance.

bmac · Sep 12, 2003

There is some info in the thread "Gold Toner?" in this same category. Lets see if the link works... (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

FrankB · Sep 12, 2003

My firsthand knowledge is almost as thin as my hair on this one, all I have to offer is "book larnin'"!

In "The Master Photographer's Toning Book", Tim Rudman tested various papers in gold toner. Ilford MGWT gave the strongest blue response of those tested, MG IV only gave a small colour shift.

There might be another (much cheaper) option, depending on what you're looking for... In the same book he tested Speedibrews Porcelain Blue toner, which is a two-bath bleach-and-tone arrangement. He describes it as "a joy to use" and waxes fairly lyrical (for him!) on the degree of control available by varying both the bleaching and toning stages.

As I say, it's only "book larnin'" but I hope it is of some use.

All the best,

Frank

Cheryl Jacobs · Sep 12, 2003

Thanks! Frank, that's definitely something to look into (porecelain blue). I need a definite blue, but the smurf-colored blue just wasn't doing it for me!

FrankB · Sep 12, 2003

Hi Cheryl,

He (Tim Rudman) put some pix of example prints in the book (they're annoyingly good, too!) along with step-wedges and it is definitely a definite blue. The range available starts with a green-blue and ends up somewhere near a "Wedgewood" blue.

He does warn, however, that if you partially tone the print then it will need refixing or it will slowly print out over time.

If you need contact info for Speedibrews or the book ISBN then just say the word and I'll dig them out.

All the best

Frank

PS I've had a very thorough look through your website and I'm now officially a fan!
PPS If you strangle a smurf, what colour does he turn?

ann · Sep 12, 2003

The "blue" from gold is much different from the iron toners. It can get over the top if not careful. Which gold formula are you using?. that will make a diffeence as well. Blue/gold will give a much more intense blue than a straight commerical (FOtotospeed gold ). Intense is a strong word as it is not as intense as iron, but has a blue cast.

I have much interested in testing some Spreebrew chemistry but don't know where to get it here in the states.

FrankB · Sep 12, 2003

ann said:
I have much interested in testing some Spreebrew chemistry but don't know where to get it here in the states.

The Speedibrews website is at http://www.speedibrews.co.uk/

Apparently they're between US distributors but the chems are designed to be safe to post (powder in small packs, no hazmat necessary, etc.) and if you drop them an email (address on the site) they'll quote you for chems and postage.

(I'm starting to sound like I'm on commission here! Just to clarify, not only am I not affiliated with them, I've never even bought from them (yet!)).

Hope this is of some use

Frank

Jim Chinn · Sep 12, 2003

Here are two articles that discuss various aspects of blue and gold toning. The first is on unblinkingeye.com:
http://unblinkingeye.com/Articles/Blue/blue.html

This article contains mostly info about iron toners, but there is a section called "bill Rowlinson's method" that may be of particular interest to you if you want a more subtle type of blue.

The second is on the site of Jonathan Bailey and discusses split toning with gold and selenium:

http://www.jonathan-bailey.com/pages/writings_camarts2.html

These maybe able to give some insights. Gold toning is very dependent on the paper and technique used to get the results you want. i would also suggest doing an archive search at photonet in the printing forum. There are several threads with good info over there.

Look forward to seeing your work when you decide on something.

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ann · Sep 12, 2003

I have been working with Jonathan Bailey and the spilt technique is wonderful, however, it has a mind of it's own and you will get blue , greens and rose colors all on the same print. The degree will depend on paper, developer and fixer used.

However, check out his site, the work is wonderful and very different than the average above average photographer. He favors toy cameras and the random results they produce. That along with the split toning is very "cool" and unusal.

Cheryl Jacobs · Sep 13, 2003

Thanks for all the info! I'll dig through it all and figure out what I want to do. I'm going to the Speedibrew site right now, and the other links after.

Frank, thanks for the compliment! I think strangled smurfs are white -- at least eventually!

Les McLean · Sep 13, 2003

Cheryl,

Speedibrews Porcelain Blue is indeed a lovely toner to work with. If you are having trouble in obtaining a supply to try it please let me know and I'll send you some, I have a few packs in the darkroom. Send me a message with your snail mail address.

Les McLean · Sep 13, 2003

Cheryl,

Speedibrews Porcelain Blue is indeed a lovely toner to work with. If you are having trouble in obtaining a supply to try it please let me know and I'll send you some, I have a few packs in the darkroom. Send me a message with your snail mail address.

sorry, this was posted twice in error

Cheryl Jacobs · Sep 13, 2003

Les, thank you for the generous offer! I'd love to take you up on it. I'll e-mail you my address. I can't wait to try the Speedibrews!

- Cheryl

Gold toner

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