>After using print brightener the paper (Arches Platine) has a very white
>(almost bluish-white character) like a "Super White" mat board. Sprint
>says that they use the same chemical used by some manufacturers of
>silver-based photo paper to get brighter whites. This solution is far
>more effective than any developer or sensitizer change for getting cooler
>print tones. A print of nearly pure palladium (I haven't tried
>palladium-only yet) looks very much like a pure platinum print after
>treatment.
>
>These are only preliminary results - I still need to contact the company
>to press them on the possible consequences of the solution on the
>archivalness of a print.
The brighteners themselves are not very permanent as a rule, although I
remember a mention in the scientific literature that some, presumably in an
oil base coating, could last a year or more in the sun.
Here's what you should do:
take a print you're not too happy with (I know this is hard to find, but;-))
"brighten it" as you would normally.
Cut it in three sections: Keep one in the dark, tape another one to a
window exposed to sunlight and put the last one in a room that has no
direct sunlight
Check them regularly and make notes of your observations.
Finally, post your findings!
Luis Nadeau
NADEAUL@NBNET.NB.CA
Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
>In the end I chose not to use the solution because I like the warm tones
>I get without it. However, it's good to have the choice.
>
>David Fokos