RE: Dark reaction

[etienne garbaux <photographeur@nerdshack.com>]

Marek wrote:

> Any advantages of the monochromatic dye transfer over other 
> traditional alt processes.
My intent was to say that mono dye transfer ("DT") gives stunning 
prints in the tradition of NON-alt processes.  My apologies if I did 
not express that clearly.  Like the best silver-gelatin ("SG") 
prints, but better.  I have seen (and made) DT prints on mordanted 
fine-art paper, which verges on alt, but DT prints are typically made 
on glossy or semi-glossy baryta paper (which is also the foundation 
for most SG printing paper).

Mono DT looks tonally smoother and more linear than the best SG 
prints.  In particular, the Dmax and the "internal" contrast of 
shadow zones is second to no other process I've seen, and you can 
make highlights as delicate or as snappy as you desire.  You can also 
change the tint at will, and adjust the contrast and density of the 
print -- zone by zone -- at the dye imbibition and transfer stage 
(i.e., after the matrix has been made).  DT prints can also be more 
archival than SG prints, if you choose dyes wisely.  Of course, all 
of this flexibility means that one really needs to know what one is 
doing to get the best prints.

Best regards,

etienne