Hi, I would like to know if anyone is successful in local or general print intensification. The best is to reprint but if the print is big, one may like to save if possible. I have tried bichromate bleaching and redeveloping but can not get better contast or print. Regards,

-- Ibrahim Pamuk (ibrahim@info.com.tr), February 11, 2000

Answers

The only thing I know of that might help would be selenium toning, I tone at 1:12 for one minute for no tone change just a clearing of the blacks and lighting of the whites, the longer you leave it in the toner the more change you will notice. If you have already bleached and redeveloped I don't think the selenium toning will help. Regards, Pat

-- pat j. krentz (krentz@cci-29palms.com), February 11, 2000.

Bleaching and redevoping will only modify the silver in the print, which comes from the silver halide that was exposed and developed in the first place. Any remaining halide will have gone when fixed.

Similarly, selenium or other toner will only affect the silver that is present. Sure, it will darken that silver, and that may be enough for your purposes. But think how much darker it would be with a proper exposure, followed by selenium.

I never try to 'save' prints that didn't work. I do put them to one side, and use them later when experimenting with toners or whatever.

-- Alan Gibson (Alan@snibgo.com), February 11, 2000.

In my experience with film, chromium intensifier tends to reduce contrast. For paper, selenium toner is your best bet, but even that will not salvage a poor print. However, for the fastest most dramatic action, tone at a dilution of 1:4.

-- (edbuffaloe@unblinkingeye.com), February 19, 2000.