A few days ago I processed a batch of Ilford Delta 100 in Pyro Developer. Like usual, I used my old favorite, PMK. This is a Pyro formula developed by California photographer Gordon Hutchings that utilizes a blend of Pyrogallol, Metol and Kodalk [balanced alkali]... hence the name. This stuff is a little susceptible to uneven development, and requires fairly vigorous agitation. It is really well suited to automatic processors such as the Jobo, which is what I use. Tray processing by hand with constant agitation also works, but it is a challenge not to scratch the negatives by this method. The developer imparts a stain on the negative that is proportionate the the amount of exposed silver in the emulsion and as a result this adds a density to the negative that is not there with development alone. It sounds like this would be the same as additional development or additional exposure, but it is not. The negatives processed by this method have a lightness and a tonal range that seems to be somewhat unique. The scans that I post here on my blog really don't do it justice, but the fine prints that result from printing these negatives, usually in combination with an unsharp mask, and with a certain degree of experience and darkroom skill, are beyond compare. I find that time and time again, the negatives that I most often end up printing, were processed in Pyro. Sometimes it is this Ilford Delta film and sometimes it is Kodak Tri-X Pan, but the common denominator seems to be this developer...
This batch includes a mix of new and older work... all taken in 2014. There are some from the Monochrome Guild Spring Photo Weekend in Fairmont, a few from various weekend and day trips over the summer, and a couple from Utah last April.
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