Bleaching formula

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what is the recommended bleaching formula for overall bleaching of a print to reduce density, and for locallized bleaching to lighten particular areas? What post bleaching processes are needed to preserve the print? Is the process really archival?????

Ricardo

-- ricardo (ricardospanks1@yahoo.com), February 13, 2002

Answers

The formulas are available on the Formulas page of my Unblinking Eye site. You will find instructions for local bleaching in my article Tips on Printing. Since ferricyanide bleach converts silver back to silver halide, you must refix the print. I would recommend following the fix with 3 minutes in hypo clearing agent and your normal wash-- that should produce an archival fine print. I've had very good luck with iodine bleach, which is also documented at the two locations above.

-- Ed Buffaloe (edb@unblinkingeye.com), February 13, 2002.

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