[alt-photo] Re: Dmax for silver paper

[Le Globe Trotteur]

Etienne, thanks for the feedback. Yes I do have my x-rite calibrated with a 
tablet.
I do have 2 ferrotypes dryer but have never been able to get a print that 
was not messed up when it was in direct contact with the metal. I currently 
have them faced the canvas to dry. I do not think I can use it for matte 
paper but I could be wrong.
I tried to clean the ferrotype with some cleaners but I always get a part of 
the print that is not fully glossy and is like eggshell. Maybe I am doing it 
wrong. I heard about a product to clean up ferrotype that it is not made 
anymore.
I do have selenium toner but have not used it with the Art 300. I could give 
it a try to see on how it affects the print..

Which paper do you use?
Thanks.
Pierre

--------------------------------------------------
From: "etienne garbaux" <photographeur at nerdshack.com>
Sent: Friday, January 13, 2012 5:22 PM
To: "The alternative photographic processes mailing list" 
<alt-photo-process-list at lists.altphotolist.org>
Subject: [alt-photo] Re: Dmax for silver paper

> Pierre wrote:
>
>>Does any body knows which silver paper gives the highest dmax? (fibre or 
>>RC)The latest ilford multigrade art 300 paper gives me a 1.5 Dmax (measure 
>>by my X-rite 810).From what i understand, the higher the dmax, the more 
>>shades of gray you get.I read that the highest Dmax a silver paper can 
>>give is 2.2. Is that true?
>
> Is your X-rite properly calibrated?  That needs to be done pretty much 
> every day (or every time you use it).  You can get a set of calibration 
> standards from X-rite.
>
> Yes, glossy silver-gelatin materials finished full-gloss by being 
> squeegeed to glass or a polished ferrotype plate to dry traditionally have 
> been able to produce Dmax in the 2.1-2.2 range.  Matte or textured paper, 
> or "glossy" paper that is not ferrotyped, are only capable of 1.5-1.8, 
> depending on the specific surface finish.  You can wipe a little light 
> mineral oil (from the drugstore) onto the surface of a matte or textured 
> print before measuring it to give you an idea what the Dmax would be if 
> the paper had a glossy ferrotyped finish.
>
> Art 300 has a textured matte "eggshell" finish  -- so a Dmax of 1.5-1.6 is 
> the best you can do.  Note also that it is a non-baryta paper, so the base 
> reflectivity (brightness) is lower than with baryta papers.  If you are 
> after the maximum density range in a print ("more shades of grey"), you 
> want to use the brightest paper you can find as well as a high Dmax.  As 
> far as maximizing the print density range is concerned (and thus the 
> "shades of grey"), extending the range at the top is just as important as 
> extending it at the bottom.
>
> Are you toning your prints with Selinium toner?  This will often give an 
> increase in Dmax.  But again, 1.5-1.6 is all you can expect from any paper 
> with an eggshell finish.
>
> Note that it takes well-designed lighting at the display location to take 
> advantage of the full 2+ Dmax.  Further, it is entirely possible to make 
> breathtaking prints with a Dmax of only 1.4-1.5.  This is about all you 
> can get out of Pt prints, for example, and many folks find them 
> entrancing.
>
> So, yes, do learn sensitometry/densitometry and how to get the full range 
> out of your materials -- but don't get hung up thinking you can't make 
> good prints unless they have a Dmax over 2.0.
>
> Best regards,
>
> etienne
>
>
>
>
>
>
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