Titarenko - Bleaching process

rvdp

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A big part of the typical look of Titarenko's work can be attributed to bleaching and toning.
I'd like to better understand his bleaching process.

In this YouTube video, he mentions the 'silver reducer' process, while we see him applying chemicals with a brush, and immediately rinsing off afterwards.
He then proceeds to mention that it's not the same as bleaching, as that comes later.

Can anyone provide more insight?
What is the exact difference between this 'silver reducer' and bleaching, both in terms of chemicals and desired effect on the print?

Thanks!
 

Valerie

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Did you do a google search? I've seen his process (and chemistry used) out there. And tried it myself. It definitely isn't as easy as he makes it appear!
 

Andrew O'Neill

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It's local bleaching. It's easy to do. I used to use it when I was into gelatin silver printing. You make a very weak solution of potassium ferricyanide, with the print in a non hardening fix (I mixed it from scratch), pull it out, and brush the bleach on the area you want to lighten, rinse with water so that bleaching doesn't get away from you, repeat. Then stick print back in tray of fixer. Repeat process. I believe AA called it liquid light, or Zone system in a bottle...
Not all papers bleach the same. Forte Polygrade V was wonderful (long gone now, though), and Ilford MG IV would stain yellow if not careful. I only ever used fibre-based papers... Best to practice on discarded prints.
 
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rvdp

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But what is the difference between 'silver reducer' and bleach?
 

GregY

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rvdp said:
But what is the difference between 'silver reducer' and bleach?
Click to expand...

None....
Andrew O'Neill "it's easy to do"
It's also easy to overdo & screw up.
Bruce Barnbaum has a thorough description in his book.
I learned to do it from Jay Dusard in a darkroom session in Jackson Hole.
It's a very valuable technique.
 
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rvdp

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Still confused. If you watch the video, he really describes it as two separate processes, that are subsequently applied.
 

GregY

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rvdp said:
Still confused. If you watch the video, he really describes it as two separate processes, that are subsequently applied.
Click to expand...

Good photographers aren't necessarily articulate...particularly in a non-native language.
 

Doremus Scudder

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It seems he refers to localized bleaching (maybe with an iodide bleach; I see no ferricyanide yellow on the swab he's using) as "silver reducing" and the ferricyanide overall bleaching before toning as "bleaching."

Bleaches are often referred to as "reducers" (e.g., Farmer's reducer). I think he's just contrasting the localized bleaching that gets washed away and not toned from the bleach/tone process later.

Best,

Doremus
 

Andrew O'Neill

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GregY said:
None....
Andrew O'Neill "it's easy to do"
It's also easy to overdo & screw up.
Bruce Barnbaum has a thorough description in his book.
I learned to do it from Jay Dusard in a darkroom session in Jackson Hole.
It's a very valuable technique.
Click to expand...

I learnt it from Bruce Barnbaum's book. It can get away from you, but with experience, it won't. That is why it is important to practice on junk prints, on the same paper.
 

GregY

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Andrew O'Neill said:
I learnt it from Bruce Barnbaum's book. It can get away from you, but with experience, it won't. That is why it is important to practice on junk prints, on the same paper.
Click to expand...

Like anything else in print making...... practice and time....
 
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rvdp

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That seems to make sense. Thanks!
 
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