I am starting to print Black and White prints and I was wondering when you use selenumn toner and if you use it all the time when printing?

-- Petie Littfin (littfin@midstate.tds.net), January 08, 1999

Answers

I use selenium toner for several reasons. RC paper is not stable if framed under glass without toning. Fiber based paper gives richer tones (better blacks) if toned. Archival processing includes selenium toning, as it stabilises the chemistry of the emulsion. However, I don't bother with toning the usual run of prints I make on RC paper, which I don't expect to have framed. It is quite toxic, and deserves care in handling (rubber gloves or tongs only, good ventilation.)

-- Phil Stiles (pjs@worldpath.net), January 10, 1999.

I agree with Phil's opinion, however you can use selenium toner not just for preserving your pictures, but also for changing the image color. It gives different warm tonality with different papers (works best on FB paper) when used in dilution 1:3 to 1:19.

-- Evgeni Poptoshev (evgeni.poptoshev@surfchem.kth.se), January 11, 1999.

I only use selenium toner for archiving. It will stabilize the chemistry. This is best for FB papers. Not much is known yet of how archival RC paper is (it hasn't been around long enough), so most people stay away from it for final prints. I use RC for proof prints and 'fun prints', everything else I use FB paper.

I use a 1:30 mix of Selenium to archive prints and a 1:6 mix to change the tone of the print. Selenium will give a colder tone to the print, making grays slightly blue/purple. If you want a warmer tone, use Sepia or gold. The choice of toner is more or less a matter of preference. Any metalic toner will enhance archivability.

-- Christopher H. Esser (esserc@stricom.army.mil), January 11, 1999.

Selenium actually reacts in two ways with the paper; it either forms a silver-selenium compound or the selenium attaches itself to the silver.

Toning with muliticontrast papers can result in what is called,"split toning", where middle to low values are affected by toning and the high values are not.

In the powder form selenium is very toxic, however in the pre-mixed liquid form it is much less so.

Selenium does change color in different papers, in ilford gallerie, it changes to a cool purplish color, and darkens the darker tonalities also.

You can also use selenium on the negative for intensification of the highlights (it is attracted to silver so it would go to highlights on the neg. and shadows on the print)

One of the problems with rc papers in reference to archival standards, is the use of "brighteners" in the emulsion to help pop the highlight values a bit. These can darken and cause problems over a period of time.

Mark Lindsey

-- mark lindsey (lindseygraves@msn.com), January 12, 1999.

I find selenium toning to be great, and use it quite extensively. It is especially good at improving facial tones. Try comparing two of the same prints, one with selenium and one without. It is surprising how much the improvement can be. When you use selenium with warm tone papers (like Ilfor warm tone), you almost get a sepia look without the multi-step process. I have started using it more concentated (5 or 6 to 1), though you can still get a good result with 12 or 20 to 1. Use good ventilation, however, as it is quite potent. I use it on almost everything, and it is usually the exception that I prefer a print without it. If you are going to sepia tone or use another process, however, and still want to use selenium, use selenium last. The archival process that it has will greatly reduce the toning effect of other processes if you use selenium on your photos first.

-- J.W. Rock (jwrock@erols.com), February 06, 1999.