Digitaltruth Photo

Been printing B&W 30 years. My prints are looking duller than they used to. Is it only because of the lack of silver in new films? I want the sparkle back.

Hi Tom,

If you are using TMAX film, then I highly recommend development in F76 plus and printing with Ultra Cold Tone print developer. Both products are available from our site here:

http://www.digitaltruth.com/store/clayton2.html

You can read more about F76 plus and its superb results here:

http://www.digitaltruth.com/store/clayton_f76.html

In reply to dull prints are there not many possibilities other than negatives or the negative developer ????

Tom Bloom wrote:Been printing B&W 30 years. My prints are looking duller than they used to. Is it only because of the lack of silver in new films? I want the sparkle back.

Mr. Bloom,
It would be easier if you gave a little detail of your methodology ... and if anything has changed in your darkroom or even plumbing. A new water softener or old water heater can effect development times.

A little while back I moved to a new apartment in a different town. I realized that I had to nearly double film development times to make up for whatever wacky stuff was (or wasn't) in the water ... a removed grew out of my forehead as well as an extra toe - so maybe the water was a little wierd.


As far as I know, current films and papers are just as silver rich as they have been and in some cases more so.

Tom Bloom wrote:Been printing B&W 30 years. My prints are looking duller than they used to. Is it only because of the lack of silver in new films? I want the sparkle back.

Tell us exactly what you are doing, what films, papers, and developers you are using, and what equipment, in complete detail. Otherwise, it's impossible to say.