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.

 

[mshchem]

I'm fond of both prints. I have used gold on Azo deep blacks very cool. I love playing around with Fomatone, it tones like crazy. Kodak Blue Toner (gold) really goes blue black.

I really admire your work!!! Watch out for the darn bears. Leave the bacon maple doughnuts at home!

 

[koraks]

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

Yeah, I think the reasoning is that it'll prevent the print from bleaching in the fixer since the gold won't fix out while the very fine metallic silver may be partly affected by the solvent action of a fixer especially if it's acidic. This can also be avoided by keeping fixing times short (a minute or so for kallitype/Van Dyke) and using a dilute and pH neutral fixer (i.e. plain hypo).

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

@mshchem ooh now I"m craving a maple bacon doughnut! Can I keep them in the car at least?
@koraks I've been using a rapid-like fix with a one minute time.

 

[koraks]

@koraks I've been using a rapid-like fix with a one minute time.

Yeah, sounds great; I always use C41 fixer which is nearly pH neutral and also a rapid fixer (amm. thiosulfate). Works well!

 

[Ben 4]

Thanks for this, Andy—I prefer the warmer toned before fixing version, but both are appealing and I can see why you're conflicted!

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Thanks for this, Andy—I prefer the warmer toned before fixing version, but both are appealing and I can see why you're conflicted!

Thanks Ben!