Recently I purchased a copy of Tim Rudman’s The Master Photographer’s Toning Book [1] from Silverprint in the UK. Thanks to Silverprint, this “definitive guide” to toning gelatin silver and platinum prints is now in its second printing, and thank goodness it’s now in print once again.
This book is really a superb resource. Here’s a brief synopsis from Tim Rudman’s website:
Using a system of First Steps, Second Steps and Further Steps, the normal use of simple ‘off-the-shelf’ toning kits is explained and then developed further by exploring the more advanced and less familiar techniques for which they may be employed.
Each theme is then expanded to include instructions and formulae for home-made toners that both save money and further expand the reader’s creative options.
Processes and techniques described include the use of all the common and less common toners both singly and in combination, multi toner kits, selective toning, archival and negative toning, simple and advanced uses of bleaches and developers, dyes and the use of less conventional materials such as tea and coffee.
Sections on print finishing and useful printing controls for toning are also included. Toned vs. untoned step wedges show the effect of each toner on highlight and shadow density and on contrast with different papers, in order to allow compensation at the printing stage for perfectly toned prints.
An invaluable reference, toners characteristics tables, colour/toner ‘search’ charts, frequently asked questions, formulary and DIY section is included.
One of my favorite chapters within the book is the chapter on sepia toning, which begins on page 20. This is by far the most complete and comprehensive description of the sepia toning process that I’ve ever read, and includes material on a variety of variations to sepia toning that provides a wide spectrum of control on tonal range.
Recommended!
[1] Rudman, Tim (2010). The Master Photographer’s Toning Book – The Definitive Guide. Argentum Press, second printing. ISBN 978-1-90253-823-5.