sävytysprosessia

Sävytysprosessi, also known as toning, is a photographic process used to alter the color of a developed black and white image. It involves treating the silver image with a chemical solution that replaces the metallic silver with a colored compound. This results in a monochromatic image that is no longer neutral gray but has a distinct hue, such as sepia, blue, or red.

The purpose of toning can be aesthetic, enhancing the mood or artistic effect of a photograph. Sepia toning, for instance, is often used to give images a warm, antique feel. Blue toning can create a cool, somber atmosphere, while red or gold toning can add vibrancy. Beyond aesthetics, toning can also serve a practical purpose by increasing the image's archival stability. Certain toning chemicals react with the silver image to form more stable compounds, protecting the photograph from environmental degradation and fading.

Different toning processes exist, each yielding a unique color and affecting the silver image in a specific way. Selenium toning, for example, can produce a range of colors from brown to purple depending on the dilution and time of treatment, and it also enhances permanence. Gold toning, while expensive, offers rich colors and excellent archival qualities. The choice of toning agent, the concentration of the solution, the duration of immersion, and the type of photographic paper used all contribute to the final color and characteristics of the toned image.