Panopticon Imaging is now producing negatives for the Platinum Printing process.
Platinum Printing
Platinum printing. an alternative method of photographic printmaking, was popular for approximately 60 years from the 1870’s through the 1930’s. Due to the rising costs of platinum and government restrictions during the two World wars, platinum printing was over taken by the silver-gelatin processes. Due to similar qualities and processes, the terms platinotype, palladium prints and platinum prints are often used interchangeably.
Platinum prints are loved by photographers and treasured by collectors and investors because of their tonal range, the surface quality and their permanence. This alternative method of photographic printmaking provides the greatest tonal range of any printing method using chemical development. The delicate, rich platinum tones range from warm black, to reddish brown, to expanded mid-tone grays. In the deepest shadows the platinum print still presents information and the platinum whites are delicate and the depth of the image is alive and three-dimensional.
Some of the most desirable characteristics of a platinum print include:
- An absolutely non-reflective surface compared to modern day glossy prints
- A very delicate, large tonal range
- Not being coated with gelatin, the prints do not exhibit the tendency to curl.
- The darkest possible tones in the prints are still lighter than silver-based prints. Studies have attributed this to an optical illusion produced by the gelatin coating on RC and fiber-based papers. Platinotypes that have been waxed or varnished will produce images that appear to have great D-max than silver prints.
- A greatly decreased susceptibility to deterioration compared to silver-based prints due to the stability of the process and because they are commonly printed on 100% rag papers.
- The chemicals used in platinum printing are less harsh on the environment than traditional silver printing.
