Cold tones methods

To use this method, expose, develop in a neutral tone developer, fix, and wash a print in the usual manner. Next, use Print Rehalogenating Bleach (Formulas Print Reducers Print Rehalogenating Bleach) to convert all silver metal to silver bromide. Then rinse for 5 minutes and redevelop using any toning developer of your choice (this includes cold-tone developers). 

There are three ways to achieve cold tones. The first is through direct development of bromide paper. The second is through the gold-toning of a warm-tone chlorobromide paper. The third method is immersion in a blue-toning bath (Formulas Toners, Ansco 241 Iron Blue Toner). 

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. 

Method 3. Blue-toning baths cause the entire print to be blue, including the paper base. This is not a true cold tone rather it is overall blue toning. 

Use this bleach to convert all silver metal to silver bromide in a print prior to using the redevelopment method of toning (Chapter 8, Printing Methods and Techniques Redevelopment Method). After rehalogenating, any toning developer, warm or cold, can be used to give the purest tones possible. 

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