Toning

Toning

• image color is a property of the emulsion and paper base
• image color can be modified with toning
• toning changes the overall color
• for creative/artistic effect
• some toners make prints more archival
• a variety of toners
• some toners dye the emulsion gel
• some reduce/increase contrast and density
• adjust the print for what we know about a toner
• some decrease archival permanence
• some examples of archival toners: gold, sepia (least expensive) and selenium

Sepia Toner

• produces a definite color change to brown
• yellow-brown to a red-brown
• toner color depends on how long we bleach and apply toner
• archival process, more stable
• sulfur makes silver more stable
• results in a silver sulfur print
• less likely to break down
• if toned and washed correctly can last hundreds of years

Application

• used more for aesthetics rather than archival
• make something look older
• using kodak toner, 2 bath process

1. Print the image a bit darker than usual (increase the density by 20-30%).
2. Bleach, print with ferricyanide. Turns the silver a soluble form.
3. Wash off the bleach in water.
4. Place the print in the toner. This process allows the sulfur to bond to the soluble silver.
5. Wash the print for 5 minutes or more (continuous).
6. A final print will appear brown and the white, and will be lighter than the black and white version/print.

Blue Toner

• is a one step process
• NOT archival
• result in a print with more contrast and darker print
• compensate in printing by lowering contrast and density (print 10-15% lighter)
• control color, the strength of the toner lowers as more prints pass through
• add hot water before toning to make the color more intense
• if put in developer, turns back to black and white
• yellow in highlights, wash a littler longer in warm water