Re: Toning pt and pd

Tom Hawkins ( grnbrg@pipeline.com)
Fri, 17 January 1997 10:44 AM

> For gold toning I devised a method that is superior to the oft printed
> Dolland method. I'm going on memory as my notes are not here. The amounts
> are not critical and can be adjusted to suit individual needs. In a
totally
> self serving manner I call this the Sullivan method.
>
> Sol A.
> Sodium formate 2 gm
> Water 500 ml
>
> Sol B.
> Gold chloride 5% 2 to 5 ml
>
>
> Clearing bath
> HC110 25 ml
> Water 500 ml
>
> or
> Stock Dektol 500 ml
>
> Make sure the print is fully cleared and washed. One or two baths in
dilute
> hydrochloric acid will help but is not neccessary.
>
> Add the gold to the sdoium formate and water. The clock has now started.
Put
> in the print and observe toning. it will go faster under a bright light.
> Toning may take as long as 10 minutes. Stop when the slight yellow color
> dissappears or else staining *WILL* occur.
>
> Quickly put the print in bath of 5 mls of concentrated out of the bottle
> HC110 and 500 mls or water or straight stock Dektol. This will reduce out
> the remaining gold in the print. This step is necessary or else the print
> will dry nicely and look like it was printed on a brown paper bag in the
> morning.
>
> Wash thoroughly and dry.

Dick,

The Sullivan Method was very succesful. I had no idea that Ed was a gifted
photographic chemist as well as the host of a landmark television show.

My experience was that the toning occurred in about 15 to 20 seconds. This
is fine, since I find longer toning times leads to careless observation on
my part, and frequently the work is overtoned.

Your formula was really wonderful and the dmax and image color that result
are outstanding.

Thanks for the formula,

Tom Hawkins

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