Topic: photo paper favorites?

[astrobeck]

Thought I'd just start a new thread on this since the question was asked on another one....

I like expired Kodak polycontrast paper and use it exclusively for my solargraphs.  It was what was suggested by my mentor in Helsinki when I first began doing them five years ago.  It seems to "solarize" very well!  Plus when I have to load it in a dark bag, it's easy to tell the front from the back by touch.

I have also used Ilford multicontrast paper for making 4 x 5 paper negs in my LF cams.  All of the paper I use is expired and works well for what I do since I like the slubs and flaws I sometimes find.

Anybody else have favorites??

[Diane Peterson]

Thanks for starting this thread Becky! I am going to try the solargraphs one day..but for now I am trying lots of different papers for my pinholes..trying to decide what works best for me.
I actually kinda like using "glossy" finish papers ,of any brand, in my pinholes for the light flares, etc..it doesn't work everytime but I have done a few that I feel really add to the finished piece..
I try to read everything I can regarding different artists and their likes and dislikes of different papers..
The one thing I have had no luck with is positive papers,but since I hate letting any thing defeat me I will prolly try them again soon..Others on this forum have used them with great success so I just have to figure out what I am doing wrong..

and as far as "flaws", thats the best part!!

[LT]

for printing?

faves = Oriental Seagull Warm Tone  (old version , no longer available), Fomabrom Variant, Ilford MGFB Warmtone and MGIV FB, kentmere vc select fb matt warmtone

thats about it really.

[charles binns]

I use Agfa multicontrast paper for solargraphs and other paper negs.  The only reason being that I have two boxes left over from when I had a wet darkroom.  That being said I like the results they give.