Amidol paper developer formulas

All three of the famous Westons—Edward, Brett, and Cole—used amidol paper-developing formulae. All three were famous for their rich blacks and full-scale print tones. All three used different amidol formulae. There is some confusion as to the formula each one used, and more than one has surfaced for Brett and Edward. It may be possible that they used different formulae during the course of their long careers. 

All three of the famous Weston s—Edward, Brett, and Cole—used amidol paper developer formulae. Each had his own variation. All four of the following formulae are used undiluted and should be followed by running water or a citric acid stop bath. 

Method 1. The classic developing agent for creating cold tones on bromide papers is amidol. However, PQ developers using organic antifoggant, such as benzotriazole, will also increase the amount of cold image tone in a print (Formulas Paper Developers, Blue-Black Developer). In either case the results are usually very subtle. 

BB solution was a proprietary liquid restrainer marketed by DuPont, once a leader in the manufacture of film and paper. When added to a developer it will create cooler tones on enlarging paper. It was reputedly used by Edward Weston in his amidol formula. According to Dody Thompson, Edward s former assistant and Brett s second wife, Edward may have tried it at one time but did not use it as he preferred warm tone images. Brett, on the other hand, preferred cooler tones and may well have used BB while it was available. 

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