What effects does selenium toner gives as I have seen that it gives different results with different papers? I had seen many gallery works toned with selenium toner but I just can't seem to get any satisfactory results.

-- Anonymous, January 31, 1997

Answers

RE:Selenium Toner

Jerry, I have found that the effects of selenium toner are affected by paper type (fiber vs. RC-most fiber papers tend to tone more easily than most RC papers), brand of paper (Ilford seems more difficult to get dramatic toning effects than say Kodak; also the warmer-tone, chloro-bromide papers like Agfa Portriga can tone more easily and with a reddish tone; selenium concentration (straight toner will result in a greater effect than a 1:10 solution; time spent in toner (longer will typically result in more toning; temperature of toning solution (warmer solution will tone faster an a colder one), etc. Also, using hardener in your fixer makes it very difficult to gain the effects of the toner. Hope this helps. Good luck!

-- Anonymous, February 04, 1997

Thanks for your info!

-- Anonymous, February 06, 1997

Selinium toning

I have been using Kodak selenium on Agfas' Premium RC paper for over a year and have been very happy with a 1:20 dil. as it can remove the brownish cast if you want to bring out the 'BLACKS".I usually go 10 min. but I see results in 1/2 the time. Agfa Classic FB tones very well but I mostly use the toning for what is suppose to be a protective coating. I used Ilford exclusivly but always had the odd problem. Agfa seems more consistant with the results and I like the "feel" of it.

-- Anonymous, February 24, 1997

What results? You can see them. Get "The Art of Photography" by Bruce Barnbaum or read the many articles in Photo Techniques, or the Ansel Adams books. Experiment some more.

-- Anonymous, April 09, 1997

Selenium toning on cold-tone VC paper will remove its slight greenish cast and give you a nice, deep, neutral-to-warm black. (It will also enhance its stability.) The effect on graded papers is usually more pronounced, on warm tone papers even more so. In my opinion, *all* exhibition prints *must* be toned in *something*. It's part of the process, like fixing or hypo removal. Even though the effect is slight, I can spot an untoned print across the room!

-- Anonymous, May 24, 1997