Custom Platinum Prints?

Hello All

Does anyone out there know of a print shop that does Platinum Prints for photographers? Like say a place that will do an 8x10 if I provide the negative? I've only found one place on-line and it is wildly expensive. I expect to pay a lot as I know the platinum process isn't cheap, but I don't want to pay close to one-thousand for a single print of my own work.

Thanks for the help!

It also depends of the qualities of your negative. A negative of low contrast may not be satisfactorily printed in platinum.

Just to toss out a name, Bob Carnie of Toronto does custom printing, but he is more involved with creating enlarged negatives that he then prints.

Contact Stan klimek...he prints for all the greats
Sally mann etc
Great guy too
Best peter

Why not do it yourself? If you have or can make an 8x10 negative ( consider x-ray duplicating film or Pictorico OHP transparency film for your inkjet printer) you can get a starter kit ( chemistry and paper) from Bostick and Sullivan and use the sun as a light source. You would also need a printing frame to make the contact print. I started that way and shortly after bought a light box. It's not difficult but there is a learning curve. Once you make a successful print you will be hooked. IMOP there is nothing like a well made pt or pt/pd print. I think you should consider platinum/palladium as opposed to straight platinum.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

I can think of four factors make it expensive:

1. It's often time consuming to find the right interpretation of a negative, especially if printing for a client
2. Without seeing the negative it’s by no means certain that it will be easy to print from. Will the density be right? Is the negative under or over-exposed? Will it need dodging and burning? How much spotting/retouching may be needed? etc.
3. If you’re only after one print then there’s no volume to offset the setup time involved. Cost per print is always going to be higher for one print as opposed to an edition
4. And of course you’re asking for someone with specialist skills who will need to make a living from this

I will be happy to work with you right here in Portland. I have a good facility, have made my living mostly with custom lab work, and have printed in platinum since the 1980s. Be happy to talk to you.
Dennis Purdy