Paper and Developer - Establishing my style

Hello All:

I'm pretty new to B&W and clearly have much to learn. According to those who claim to know, my exposures/development methods are good, negatives are close to correct density etc. Meter 18% gray in shadows if the scene is more than 5 zones and so on. I am using Delta 400 and ID-11 1:1 at 11 min. Negatives seem fine. Seems I've learned enough to at least begin to start to print.

Now it comes to printing and I'm struggling with a selection of papers/toners etc. I tend to like cold tone, Pure RICH black blacks and bright whites. Could I get some recommendations on paper and developer/toner/enhancer from those in the know? I have taken great lengths to expose to the correct density. (overexpose/underdevelop etc.)

I am also looking for an extra step to remove the blue in the blacks and "brighten the prints". I've read about Selenium toner and chromium intensifier on negatives and prints. Any "winning combinations out there you could recommend or website with relible cookbooks? I don't mind a little extra effort if the results are worth it.

My instructor says he uses Forte Polygraph VFB in Dektol 1:5 for 5 min. Bruce Barnbaum uses the same, though I think his development time and Dektol solution is different (longer). It could be the hardness of his water.

Thanks in advance, Joe Lacy Dallas

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