next
page > resource
>home
©
Lloyd Godman
Metallic
toning of B&W photographs
Selenium
Toner
Selenium
toning actually lays a coating of selenium (which is a metal) on top
of the existing silver emulsion, and in the process gives the emulsion
a physical protection from pollutants and contaminants. It can be mix
to either give only a protective coating or mixed to give the protective
coating and a colour change. It is generally acknowledged as a superior
means of preserving the image than sepia toner.
When
mixed to cause a shift in print colour, the results can be variable
and sometime frustrating. They can vary from a cool black tone to a
red brown Selenium is inexpensive and permanent, but is a poisonous
substance and should be handled with care.
Protective
Coating only
For
this a selenium solution like KODAK Rapid selenium Toner is diluted
1-20 with water. The toning should take over a few minutes and
depending on the nature of the paper will show as a faint change
in the density of the print. For those who whish to experiment
the following recipe may be of some use. |
|
Water
to make
1000ml
Sodium sulphite anhydrous 200grms
Selenium
30grms
Remember
there can also be an increase in contrast and the prints can look quite
different when dried down, with some of the richness lost.
Combined
protective/colouration Coatings
Selenium
can also be mixed 3-9 parts to obtain not only protection, but
a colour shift. Here the affects of selenium can be quite variable
and depend greatly on the paper type. Ilford for instance seems
to have only a slight shift to a darker blue, while some Kodak
and Agfa papers produce quite red/brown and purple colours. Other
factors like developer type temperature etc play apart. Complete
toning may take up to 20mins and depends on the temperature of
the solution and the concentration. |
|
Comment on this resource
Split
Toning with Selenium
Using
the concentration (3-9parts) to create a colour change, a print
can be obtained with a separation in the tones. Unlike other toners
that affect all parts of the prints simultaneously, selenium tones
tone from the dense areas of the print to the lighter areas. With
experience and careful control the process can be halted at a
point where the tonal change is SPLIT. Here the darker areas take
on a red/ purple tone while the lighter areas take on a more green
colour. The complete image has a protective coating but the colour
change is only allowed to reach the denser areas of the print.
The effect can be quite subtle although rich and stunning. |
|
Wash
All Selenium toned prints should be washed for 60mins after toning.
Comment on this resource