[pure-silver] Re: Increasing contrast of a print
----- Original Message ----- From: <C.Breukel@xxxxxxx> 
To: <pure-silver@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, June 15, 2007 10:51 AM
Subject: [pure-silver] Increasing contrast of a print


Hi,
I goofed on processing a 35mm rol of PanF. (I used a Pyro developer called Hypercat, the "B" solution (sodium carbonate) was precipitated, which I noticed after processing). The negatives were extremly thin, just baearly visible stained negative image. These were mainly test shots, so I took this as an oppertunity to test negative intensification.
First I did a bleach/re-develop with PyrocatHD, than a bleach/re-develop with just some Hydroquinone (2 tsp.) and sodium carbonate (4 tsp. in 300ml) (this mixture is also said to be a staining developer indeed it is, although also the negative carrier was stained light bown now), finishing it off with a silver intensification with Kodak's IN-5 formula (se the Darkroom Cookbook).
Indeed every step did intensify the present image (these treatment cannot ofcourse make up for shadows which were never recorded). Even upto that I could start printing: I tried some fixed grade 5 (old with a slight fog) Ilford RC (pyro stain is said to print as extra density on fixed grade paper) as well as VC grade 5 (again Ilford MG IV RC).
I could obtain an mediocre print, suprisingly with decent shadow information, but the prints are verry flat, almost if they were printed on grade 1, and it is almost if there is aslight grey viel over the image.
Ofcourse when a roll is supposed to contain not so important images, there is actually quite a nice portrait of my son. 

So how could I boost the contrast of this grade 5 print?
I can think of printing is it darker/duller and try to bleach it back with Farmers? Or tone it with FSA (thiourea) toner, the only toner I know of that increases contrast? 
Or a contrastier developer, perhaps Kodak D19?

Other suggestions most welcome!

Thanks & best,

Cor
You might try making a duplicate negative using a lith type film processed in a standard developer. You would have to make an intermediate positive and a negative from that. The positive should be on the lith film. If the film was exposed properly the lack of development will affect mostly the contrast so I am not surprized there is reasonable shadow detail. Whatever you do do NOT use Monckhoven's Intensifier, not only is it very poisonous but it was intended for sharpening up the dots on half tone negatives and will _reduce_ the low densities while intensifying the dense areas. 

---
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA, USA
dickburk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
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