Awhile back I wrote #7 Simplify … One Film and One Developer! Well, guess what …the same goes for your paper and developer! That’s right. Maybe I’ll take some heat on this but stay with me here.

Yes, I know different papers and developer combinations can yield different looks that some may prefer for say a snowy scene vs. a portrait. Fine, I get it. But I think this leads to more choices, more time and a lot more money spent on ever more expensive paper.

As with film, I think it’s best to focus on just one paper and developer combination. For me it is Fomabrom Variant III with Photographer’s Formulary Liquidol. I’ve been using this combination for some time and have been very happy with the results. Ever since I couldn’t get Forte’s excellent VC paper anymore and I finished my last bag of Zone VI print developer. Note: Liquidol is claimed to be a liquid-based replacement for the Zone VI powder- based developer.

Is it the perfect combination? I’ll give you the same answer I gave for Tri-X and HC-110 … Heck if I know! What I do know is that Bruce Barnbaum recommended the paper and the developer seems to give me the same results of my old friend Zone VI in an easier to mix version.  That’s enough for me. The proof of course is in the results and I really like what I see. However, if you try this combination your mileage may vary as they like to say.

Look, pick whatever paper/developer combination you like and learn how to use it.  Oh, and it goes without saying, just make sure to choose a good quality fiber paper. DO NOT USE RC!!! Let me repeat that for the uninitiated. DO NOT USE RC!!! Just like film, it takes some time to really learn about a paper and how it behaves with a particular developer … another reason in my opinion to use just one combination.

Can you get better results using different papers with different developers for different negatives instead of simplifying like I’ve done. Maybe, probably, perhaps.

As with sorting out what camera for what purpose and settling on one film and one developer, doing the same with one paper and one developer simplifies my life … one less thing to worry about … and this helps me to focus on what’s really important … making meaningful pictures with prints that look the way I like, with the quality I want.

Try it and see how it works for you!

Stay well,

Michael