WOW! Selenium toned negatives

[justin_fullmer]

I had a very difficult to print negative made on Ilford's new Delta 400. The negative was just too flat. I soaked the negative for 15 minutes in distilled water, then 15 minutes in rapid selenium 1:3 at 100 degrees, 5 minutes in fixer and 30 minute wash. The negative now has quite a bit of life compared to before. I know that proper development from the begining would have rendered a better negative all the way around but this seems like a good solution to save worthwhile negs that have been screwed up. I wonder if a second bath in the selenium would intensify things even more? Also is the fixer treatment neccessary? I have read conflicting opinions.

Thanks!!

[cesar_barreto]

Justin,

After such a prolonged and strong toning, there's a good chance going

any further can start degrading density as a change in color may not

be translated into optical density. Maybe you could even try shorter

treatment. About fixing again, don't worry. Just give it a good wash.

Cheers.

 

<p>

 

Cesar B.

[george_papantoniou]

I couldn't agree more. I use selenium to intensify my thin negs, and

it just takes a couple of minutes in the bath, with a good rinse

afterwards. You don't have to leave it for hours, as it might start

decreasing your negative density. Putting your negative in selenium

for a second time will not change anything. I usually obtain an

augmentation of the contrast eqivalent to almost 1 paper grade, which

is really great. Chromium intensifiers and the rest is much more

difficult to make and use, so if selenium suits you, don't even think

about it...

[standish_lawder1]

Nice discovery. I have generally found that what works chemically for

negs can work for prints and vice versa. I often use chromium

intensifier for negatives (from the Formulary)on prints with

sometimes spectacular results, far beyond the intensification

achieved by selenium. Chemistry is chemistry, and the behavior of neg

and paper emulsions not so far apart.