5.            What is a “Silver Gelatin” print?

 Silver Gelatin is the name given to the emulsion coating on photographic papers used in a traditional darkroom.  It is composed of light-sensitive silver salts that darken the paper when it is exposed to light. Gelatin silver prints are made on paper that is pre-coated by photo manufacturers, like Ilford.  A coating of clay, called “Baryta” is applied to the paper and then a silver-halide emulsion is coated onto that.  The two basic photographic paper types available are graded and variable-contrast (multigrade).

6.            What is graded paper?

 Graded papers generally come in two to five contrast grades, depending on the manufacturer. The lower numbers (1 & 2) have a softer effect and the higher numbers (3 – 5) being harder.  The contrast grade of the paper is matched to the contrast scale of the negative.

7.            What is variable-contrast (multigrade) paper?

 The primary difference between graded and variable-contrast papers is that, with the latter, filters are used to control contrast.  It is not necessary to buy a different box of paper for each contrast grade.  The major advantage that variable-contrast (multigrade) paper offers over graded paper is control over local contrast.  One can apply a low contrast filter to an area in an image that is lacking in highlight detail.  Likewise, a high contrast filter can be applied to an area lacking in contrast or in shadow that requires more darkness and depth.

8.            What is the difference between Fibre-Based & Resin-Coated prints?

 Graded and variable-contrast papers are further broken down into fibre-based FB and resin-coated RC prints.  Resin coated papers differ basically from fibre-based papers in that they have a polyethylene coating, preventing chemicals from soaking into the paper fibres.  Processing, washing, and drying times are far shorter with RC papers and when they are dry, they are perfectly flat. Fibre based prints require extensive washing time to remove all the fixing chemicals from the paper and curl up when initially dry.