Platinum Palladium Printing Services and Workshop

 View Platinum Palladium Prints 

Ancient Printing Technique

‘The Platinum-Palladium prints is one of the most beautiful ways to express your photographic ideas.  The blending of the printing technique, paper selection, & coating techniques, allow the photographer & printmaker to accomplish astounding clarity & luminosity. To the collector, these prints are photographic gems that will last as no other. To the printer, these prints are an expression of truly great control, creating images of depth and brilliance’

Mohan Bhasker

History

Platinum-Palladium printing was invented in 1873.  By 1907, platinum had become 52 times more expensive than silver.  Russia controlled 90% of the world platinum supply in World War 1 and all available platinum was used in the war effort.  Eventually around 1930, due to the rise of the cost of this metal, the process was abandoned in favor of more economical alternatives such as Silver Gelatin. Contemporary masters continue to prize this printing method above all others.

Platinum Printing Process

Platinum printing is a contact printing, which means the negative has to be the same size as the print you want to produce.  Digital technology has provided us with the ability to print negatives on a transparency paper, which can then be used to make contact printing with platinum process. 

Because platinum and palladium are noble metals, when they are embedded in the fibers of the paper, it makes the print unalterable and indestructible.  The platinum and sister element palladium element are incredibly stable against chemical reactions that may degrade the print, and is even more stable than gold.  The print can last over a thousand years.  

Mohan uses Hahnemuhle Platinum Rag and Arches Platine, a 100% cotton water paper.  The tonal range of platinum palladium prints are unmatched, even by modern digital inkjet printers. The final color tonality can range from warm black, to reddish brown, with a range of grays in the mid-tones---one might almost step into the scene. A number of factors such as the ratio of platinum and palladium, the kind of developer, the relative humidity and restraints that are used, can vary the appearance of your print.

Platinum printing process is entirely made by hand.  It begins with the preparation of a photosensitive solution containing platinum and palladium salts in different ratios are mixed with ferric oxalate.  The solution is then brushed carefully into the paper.  You brush on the paper with fluid movements. This part will determine the final yield of the external area of the print giving it the “brushed” appearance.  Once the paper is dried and humidified, the negative and the paper are placed in a contact printing frame and exposed in intense ultra violet light.  After the exposure, a “developer” is then poured on the paper to complete the reduction of metal salts to pure metals as the image appears.  The print then goes through 2 successive clearing baths, each lasting 5-minutes to remove any remaining photosensitive compounds.  Finally, the print is washed extensively with water to leave behind only the pure metals; platinum and palladium.  It is then air-dried.

Very Unique Printing Process

Because of multiple factors affecting the print process; no two prints appear the same.  This process involves the manual application of the sensitive emulsion with a brush. The simple texture given by the brush means that every print, even if originating from a single negative, is unique and original.

Each print is completely unique and one of a kind, making the process extremely special.  The work is labor intensive, but the finished results have the signature and soul of the artist.  A personal touch plays a big role in the platinum print making process.  Platinum printing is for individuals that enjoy the value, effort and satisfaction of handcrafting.  It is the other end of the spectrum of commercialized ink jet printing. In these all-digital times, this classic technique wins the hearts of photographers, collectors, galleries and museums.

Each Platinum Palladium print is numbered and the number of prints sold by Mohan are limited.

Due to the Covid-19 situation the Workshop is limited one or two clients only. Safe distancing and precautions will be taken during the workshop.

Platinum-Palladium Workshop Description:

This workshop is designed for clients who have no (or some) previous experience in platinum-palladium printing or other alternative processes.  However, if you already know how to make platinum prints, you may want to take this workshop to learn a great way to make digital negatives and also refine your existing printing skills.

  • Overview of Platinum & Palladium Process
  • Making digital negatives using your file. For contact printing digital negatives need to be the same size as the final print. Mohan will use QuadTon RIP (QTR) and Epson printers to precisely calibrate the negatives to the chemistry, paper and environment.
  • In the darkroom, learn to correctly mix the chemistry, hand-coat the fine art paper with care, brushing techniques, humidifying techniques, contact techniques, how to expose the print with an ultraviolet light source, and finally develop and clear your beautiful platinum palladium print.

Workshop includes: Enough photo paper and chemistry to make one  5” x 7” prints. Hands on instructions to make Platinum Palladium prints in the darkroom.

Duration:  6-hours

Cost:  $595.00 plus you will take with you a 5 x 7 Platinum Palladium Print which retails at $350.00.

Please contact us for more information about Platinum Palladium workshops. 

Email tennismohan@aol.com or call (310) 944-2625.