Selenium toning question

I was recently trying to get some toning I really liked with selenium. I heard selenium turned purple on longer times but I really don't see the difference. Except that I get more highlights. But what are other visual differences with selenium? (Question 1)

I toned 1+20 with Moersch Selen toner for 5 minutes as a test.

(Question 2) I'm trying to achieve this kind of toning (see picture) - it's a lith print toned with gold and selenium. But I'd like to stick with Adox MCC 110 fiber. Is there a way to achieve the purple look? Less diluted selenium perhaps? Thanks

All papers do not react to seleniumtonersin the same manner. Generally toning with a stronger solution, or for a longer time will produce the color you desire, but some papers will neverget to the purple stage.

The Ilford literature states RC paper will not exhibit much colour change, just a slight purple colour in the deep blacks and an increase in Dmax . It further states that warm tone papers will exhibit large tonal changes.


http://www.ilfordphoto.com/aboutus/page.asp?n=135

My experience from using selenium (Rollei Rapid Selen) with Adox MCC 110 (and MCP 110) is that it turns slightly purple after a few minutes in 1+9, and that it's enhanced after extended toning in the same dilution. If you want it faster, just use a stronger toner. That was when I was using Kodak Dektol as my paper developer.

Ilford states that MGIV RC does not exhibit much color change. MGIV didn't react as much as other papers did, but I think it's caused by the amount of hardener incorporated in the emulsion. Other papers behave differently.

I don't have experience with that paper or selenium toner but I have done a lot of selenium toning (KRS, IRS, and T-56) with Ilford's papers. Another thing to consider is your developing time as it will determine the grain structure of your print which in turn will impact the colour of your selenium toning. Longer developing times will produce cooler images relative to shorter developing times. I've pushed my developing times to 7 minutes and in some cases beyond that for a desired effect. Different developers can also impact colour as well as bleach redevelopment with a different developer like a cold tone developer. Personally, I've also noticed slightly different colour results with different selenium dilutions but again, it depends on the paper, your developer and your developing time.

All the best,

Michael

all of these things play a big part in print color type of paper, strength of toner, how long in the toner.The fixer also has a lot to do with how the paper tones.If your fixer is with a hardner in it change to one with no hardner and it should be fresh.

Jessestr said:

I was recently trying to get some toning I really liked with selenium. I heard selenium turned purple on longer times but I really don't see the difference. Except that I get more highlights. But what are other visual differences with selenium? (Question 1)

I toned 1+20 with Moersch Selen toner for 5 minutes as a test.

(Question 2) I'm trying to achieve this kind of toning (see picture) - it's a lith print toned with gold and selenium. But I'd like to stick with Adox MCC 110 fiber. Is there a way to achieve the purple look? Less diluted selenium perhaps? Thanks

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Trying to make a conventionally processed print toned in selenium match a lith print toned with first a gold toner and then selenium probably won't work. You could try a few blue toners, one of those might get close. but be aware that blue toners have a reputation for permanence issues (other that gold based blue toners).

darkroommike said:

Trying to make a conventionally processed print toned in selenium match a lith print toned with first a gold toner and then selenium probably won't work. You could try a few blue toners, one of those might get close. but be aware that blue toners have a reputation for permanence issues (other that gold based blue toners).

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