Ilford Multigrade Warmtone FB Glossy (creamy whites)

Sal Santamaura said:

A bit more than eight months later, a question. How would you characterize the surface of Ilford Multigrade Warmtone Fiber Semi-Matt? In particular, compared to the surface of Ilford Multigrade Classic Fiber Matt? Thanks in advance for any insight you can provide.

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It is definitely less matt than Classic Fiber Matt and its blacks are not as deep as the glossy paper. Over the last two years or so I have noticed that my taste is shifting away from this Semi-Matt paper as my dislike for glossy prints is becoming less and less and my aim for stronger and deeper blacks is becoming bigger and bigger. Strangely enough portraits on Classic Matt still please me.

A year or so ago, Foma changed their MG Classic 131 paper from 'Gloss' to 'Semi-Gloss'. One would think that a warmtone semi-gloss paper and a warmtone semi-matt paper somehow convey a similar look. However, that is not the case at all. The look of Ilford's SM paper is unique.

The semi-matt surface works very well with skin tones, but it lacks punch. Punch that the classic matt paper is able to deliver. A bit strange when you think of it.

Does this help?

MrclSchprs said:

...The semi-matt surface works very well with skin tones, but it lacks punch. Punch that the classic matt paper is able to deliver. A bit strange when you think of it...

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The fact that Multigrade Classic Matt is cold-to-neutral toned and most likely has significantly more optical brightening agent in its emulsion than Multigrade Warmtone Fiber Semi-Matt does probably explains the former's greater "punch."

MrclSchprs said:

...Does this help?

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Yes, it does. Thank you very much.