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Learning Ilford Warmtone FB

lightwisps

Subscriber
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Joined
Jan 27, 2005
Messages
383
Location
Almonte, Ont
Format
35mm
Wow, the learning curve on warmtone fb is sure different than normal toned fb. Exposures are totally different and contrast as well. But once you start getting in worked out it is, in my opinion, a great paper. Warmtone is not for everything, but for those images that it does work, it is fantastic. I am afraid my RC days are behind me now. The FB papers have so much more to offer. Don
 
Ilford Warmtone FB really starts to shine when you start toning it. It's wonderful in selenium (1:5), and you can get rich chocolate browns in sepia. Very flexible.

Only problem with the paper is its price!
 
I initially had trouble getting any "punch" from this paper. When I tried Evan Clarke's posted recipe for Ansco 130, using Benzotriazole instead of Bromide for a restrainer, the paper came alive for me. Deeper blacks that still retained good detail and the mid-tones had a smooth gradation too. Most of my negatives are from PyroCat MC and the overall combination led to easy printing with minimal manipulation for the look I was after. As mentioned, the paper reacts nicely for toning, too.
 
Thanks, I just happen to have both toners. This will be great fun. The cost is high, but for the quality it is well worth the price. Don
 
I really like that paper. But Oriental warm tone is THE warm tone paper.
 
All warm tone papers have immense flexibility, exposure and development times can be varied to increase or decrease the warth. Longer exposures and short development times give greater warmth.

Warm tone papers get colder with age.

Ian
 
NB23 said:
I really like that paper. But Oriental warm tone is THE warm tone paper.
Click to expand...

Forte Polywarmtone, sorry.

I do like the Ilford paper quite a lot though. I develop it routinely in Ansco 130 though, so I wonder if that plays a role in my liking of it.
 

You know, I found I took me a little longer to learn the basics of that paper as well. It's been several years so I was never really sure if it was just me or there was a real difference. That said, it is my favorite paper - hands down. Very flexible.

PhotoJim said:
I do like the Ilford paper quite a lot though. I develop it routinely in Ansco 130 though, so I wonder if that plays a role in my liking of it.
Click to expand...

I also develop it in 130, usually at 1:1. They really do work wonderfully together.
 
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