Gold Toning The Kallitype Before & After Fixing Test

[Andrew O'Neill]

The results I get are different, whether I tone before or after the fix... One gives me more tone change, and the other nicer dark tones...

 

[koraks]

It's a striking difference for sure! I have to admit that I tone Van Dykes and also salt prints almost invariably after fixing, so I'm quite familiar with the appearance it gives. I like the more neutral/cool hue.

 

[MurrayMinchin]

I vote you get a slap on the back and a hero badge for making such large test prints. Thanks a bunch for sharing!

It's a striking difference for sure! I have to admit that I tone Van Dykes and also salt prints almost invariably after fixing, so I'm quite familiar with the appearance it gives. I like the more neutral/cool hue.

Are there any reasons why toning before the fix is the "usual" recommendation?

 

[cirwin2010]

My Kallitype process is a little different than Andrew's and I get blue blacks with my gold toner.

I'm using sodium acetate for my developer which on its own will yield neutral blacks. Using the 231 gold toner (ammonium thiocyanate + gold chloride) I get blue blacks when toned to completion. The dmax is enhanced and the highlight values gain a small amount of density when compared with platinum or palladium toner.

I did once get blue purples which I haven't tried to repeat yet. I think I got this by heating the toner in an attempt to speed up the process.

There are so many variations on gold toner formulas which can net all sorts of results.

I haven't tried 231 toner after fixing, only before.

 

[fgorga]

I vote you get a slap on the back and a hero badge for making such large test prints. Thanks a bunch for sharing!


Are there any reasons why toning before the fix is the "usual" recommendation?

My understanding for the advice "tone before fixing" is that gold toning produces silver ions which need to be completely removed in order to have a stable print. I have never seen any experimental evidence for this assertion.

I suppose that if one wants to be careful one should re-fix a print that is toned after its initial fixing.

 

[MurrayMinchin]

My understanding for the advice "tone before fixing" is that gold toning produces silver ions which need to be completely removed in order to have a stable print. I have never seen any experimental evidence for this assertion.

I suppose that if one wants to be careful one should re-fix a print that is toned after its initial fixing.

Thanks for that..I'll give it a whirl next time I get in the dimroom. This is interesting to me because I like the idea of working through as many work prints as needed before reaching for the gold/platinum/palladium toners.