SEPIA TONES ON VELOX.
There are occasions when it is desirable to modify the tone of Velox prints, in order to secure some effect more in keeping with the subject than the original color produced by development only. The sepia tone is permanent and may be secured in various ways, but we will describe only two of these ; the first known as the hypo-alum process, and the second, Velox Re-development. The hypo-alum process is a slow and somewhat uncertain way of obtaining good results and consists of a solution of hypo and powdered alum in boiling water, into which, when cooled, the prints are immersed and left until the desired tone has been reached. The pro cess requires from one to twelve hours and is uncertain in exact results. The Velox Re-development process will give the best results in a much shorter time, yielding equally pleasing and permanent tones. Prints on any grade or surface of Velox afford most pleasing tones when re-developed, but re-development is perhaps specially advantageous for prints on Royal Velox, as the process brings out and accentuates the full value of the soft, creamy stock upon which Royal Velox is coated ; the finished prints pos sessing an almost indescribable softness and delicacy.
Velox prints of any grade or surface which have been evenly and thoroughly fixed and washed will give desirable results with the Re-de veloper, but some subjects, such as marines and snow scenes, are best rendered in the black and white. Landscapes, autumn scenes and portraits are given greater artistic values by the warmth of tone which the Re-de veloper affords.
A package of Re-developer consists of a box of 14 capsules and a bottle of solution. Each capsule contains chemicals which require only the addition of a certain quantity of water and a few drops pure aqua ammonia to make a bleaching bath for the reduction of the print before re-development. The liquid contained in the bottle is highly concentrated and should be used carefully, the entire contents of a 4 oz. bottle being
sufficient to re-develop about four hundred 4 x 5 Velox prints. It is important that the prints should have been thoroughly washed so that no trace of hypo remains. Placing the black and white print in the bleaching solution, let it remain until the deepest shadows have almost disappeared ; it should then be removed and rinsed thoroughly in fresh water, then placed in the re-developing solution, where the faint image immediately changes to a warm brown tone, gradually deepening until all its former brilliancy returns, but changed to a sepia tone instead of black and white. A final washing is then given the print, the whole process requiring only a short time, so the advantages of using this over the hypo-alum process are quite evident.
Velox Re-developer will also produce excellent sepia tones on any Bromide or gas-light paper ; the age of the print does not seemingly make any difference in the tones obtainable. Best results are obtained from prints which have a good bluish black tone, rather than a green or olive tone, such as is produced by the use of too much bromide, Both the bleaching and re-developing baths will retain their strength for some time, if kept in well stoppered bottles. If the prints show a tendency to blister, it doubt less comes from not having used sufficient hardener in the fixing bath when making the black and white prints. Too strong a solution of Re-developer or too long immersion in this solution will also cause blisters. A salt bath after bleaching may be used if blistering is excessive, but should not be necessary if prints, when first made, are properly fixed in a fresh acid hypo bath.
The use of pure aqua ammonia is recommended and the ordinary household ammonia should be avoided. This chemical clears the whites and does not change the tone unless an excessive amount is used.