Questions about selenium toner

jtzordon · Jan 20, 2011

So I toned some prints in selenium tonight for the first time. I was expecting a substantial color shift based on what I've read, but there's little color shift (maybe none at all). The blacks did get a bit darker, but that's about the only effect I see. I used Berg Selenium toner 1:3 for 10 minutes on Arista EDU Ultra fiber paper. Am I missing something, or did I just expect too much of a shift?

RalphLambrecht · Jan 20, 2011

What are you comparing your toned print to? Memory? Do you remember the color and exact hue of your neighbor's car? Unlikely. The point is, you need to make a few identical prints, leave one untoned, and compare a few increasingly toned examples to it. The difference will become obvious. That said, some papers tone better than others, but I've never seen 'none at all' after 10 minutes.

CBG · Jan 20, 2011

Some papers tone a lot more perceptibly than others. I don't know Arista EDU Ultra.

Toffle · Jan 21, 2011

I don't know the Arista papers, but I am quite familiar with the Berg toner. (I just can't seem to get it anymore) At that dilution and time, you should expect to see quite a noticeable shift in colour. I would take Ralph's advice and do a side by side comparison of identical prints. You might be surprised at the difference you see. Even prints that don't seem to take toning well can look much different under the light of day.

Vlad Soare · Jan 21, 2011

I don't know what Arista EDU Ultra is, but if it's rebranded Fomabrom, then you shouldn't expect a major color change. It will turn very slightly purplish-pinkish, but not by much. The difference should be visible in good light, especially in a side by side comparison, but it will nevertheless be quite subtle.
Try a warm tone paper, like Ilford Multigrade WT, or ADOX Variotone, or Fomatone. These will turn brown in selenium.

jtzordon · Jan 22, 2011

Thanks for the replies. I took the prints outside and definitely noticed a slight purplish tone. It'd probably appear more substantial compared to an un-toned version of the print, which I will do soon. It is subtle, though. I asked a friend to take a look and she didn't even pick up on the tone after I said it was there. Then again, probably would on comparison.

RalphLambrecht · Jan 22, 2011

jtzordon said:
... It is subtle, though. I asked a friend to take a look and she didn't even pick up on the tone after I said it was there. Then again, probably would on comparison.

Yes, but you are a photographer. Photographers can see things, others can not!

Questions about selenium toner

jtzordon

RalphLambrecht

CBG

Toffle

Vlad Soare

jtzordon

RalphLambrecht

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