types of photo paper

"Variable-," "Selective-," and "Poly-" all mean basically the same thing: You can change the contrast by using filters, a color head, or a variable contrast head. This is the most flexible kind of printing paper for B&W.<p> Fixed grade, or "Graded Contrast" is the "original" type of B&W printing paper, normally available only in fiber base. Some purists say its tones are deeper, richer. Nowadays, I think you can't go wrong with the best of the variable contrast papers, including the fiber based ones like Ilford Multi-grade IV fiber base. Hope this helps.

Don't buy fiber-based paper for your class. Get resin-coated paper, which is the "RC" you mentioned in your message. It is a paper with a plastic surface on each side. It processes and dries faster than fiber-based paper, which is all paper and soaks up more chemicals than RC. For classes, RC works because it allows you to get in and out of the darkroom without spending a lot of time washing and drying prints. Ilford Multigrade IV and Kodak Polycontrast are widely available RC papers.

This is the sort of purchase which I would recommend to make at a local darkroom supply shop. It may be a bit more expensive, but the folks there probably know what they are selling and can help you out. Plus you can go back and yell at them if they are wrong.

A packet of Ilford Multigrade IV RC Deluxe paper should work fine for what you need to do.

Don't buy fiber-based paper for your class.

Well, since the instructor said to get RC, get RC. But in my intro to photography class (in 1990), we used fiber base paper only. Too bad your instructor wants RC... I think fiber base is much nicer.

Fibre based paper is nicer. It's also more expensive and requires a terribly long finishing procedure that can be quite bewildering. RC is an easier way to start off and learn printing basics. Ilford's Multigrade RC pearl surface paper is my favorite RC paper- I use it for contact sheets and quick proofs, as well as for informal prints to give to friends and such, but my serious printing goes onto fibre. I'm not sure if they're still doing it, but for the past couple years Ilford was offering promotional/student packs where you could get a 25 pack of MGRC pearl paper and two rolls of HP5+ film for about $15. That's a great deal- I've seen these in Calumet shops but imagine they may be elsewhere too. Definately worth looking for, this is the cash-strapped student's ideal beginning darkroom pack- it's good stuff.

The best explanation I have ever read on the subject can be found at: http://www.butzi.net/articles/colorthe.htm be sure to read the entire article AND the information on the myth of split printing.