Phillippe Bachelier's Technique? Best Printer Alive?

jamusu · Dec 5, 2007

Sabastio Salgado and James Nachtwey are two of my favorite photographers. Their printing methods are remarkable and quite similar in my opinion, with subtle differences here and there, but they do not print their own work. I do not have a name for Nachtwey's printer, but it is said that Salgado's work is printed by Philippe Bachelier.

I believe this to be true because I visited Bachelier's website, and although the subject matter is different, the manner in which the are images are printed are strikingly similar to Salgado's printed images. They have the same dark and grainy beautiful look about them that I so love. This guys work is AWESOME to me and in my opinion, he may be the best printer alive.

To make a long story short, does anyone know the method he uses to make his blacks so rich (eg. film, developer, developmet method etc.)?

How does he print an image so dark and grainy, but yet still have an equal balance of shadows and highlights?

This is the look that I am interested in, but am now quite sure where to start.
Any help will be thoroughly appreciated because I am baffled.

The link to Bachelier's website is: http://www.philippebachelier.com/

The link to Nachtwey's site is: http://www.jamesnachtwey.com/

Thanx!

Tom Hoskinson · Dec 5, 2007

Take a look at Michael A Smith and Paula Chamlee's Azo prints and their printing methods and materials.

http://www.michaelandpaula.com/mp/index_skip.html

jamusu · Dec 6, 2007

Tom.

I have been on their sight on numerous occassions. Their method of printing is what I initially wanted to learn, and was eager to start, but to my dismay I found out that it is a different process (silver chloride). Until two years ago, I knew nothing of photography. In fact I had never even used a camera.

I only shoot 35mm as of now. After I master it...hopefully I will, I plan to move up and join the big dog's with LF and ULF and make some silver chloride contact prints.

Thanks.
James.

c6h6o3 · Dec 6, 2007

jamusu said:
Tom.

I have been on their sight on numerous occassions. Their method of printing is what I initially wanted to learn, and was eager to start, but to my dismay I found out that it is a different process (silver chloride). Until two years ago, I knew nothing of photography. In fact I had never even used a camera.

I only shoot 35mm as of now. After I master it...hopefully I will, I plan to move up and join the big dog's with LF and ULF and make some silver chloride contact prints.

Thanks.
James.

Paula Chamlee makes contact prints from negatives she shoots with her 6x7 cm camera. M&P's assistant, Richard Boutwell, makes contact prints from negatives he makes with his Hasselblad. You don't have to use large format cameras to make beautiful prints.

An 8x10 sheet of Azo certainly goes a long way when you can get 12 prints out of it.

nze · Dec 6, 2007

I was told that Philippe Bachelier only develop the film , he is not the printer even if is quite good at printing. It may have change but in the last article date of 2007 it was still noted that Bachelier develop the film and then a printer make the print.

Aurelien · Dec 6, 2007

I met Philippe BAchelier a few years ago. He had just developped a big number of films by salgado. Indeed, Philippe is one of the best lab operator in the world. But he only develops films. Prints are realised by Dominique Granier. I have heard that he launch his own developing service now...

jamusu · Dec 6, 2007

So it seems as though what I need to learn first is Bachilier's development method then worry about the printing? Where can I get a copy of the article that talk's about he and Granier?

Any other advice on this topic will be much appreciated.

Jamusu.

payral · Dec 6, 2007

There is only one way to get that result (no magic button or formula) you have to work
When you will have developped some thousands films and print even more (trying each print to make it better than the one before) you will get as good results as the ones you are looking for.
patience & hard work.

eclarke · Dec 6, 2007

jamusu said:
Sabastio Salgado and James Nachtwey are two of my favorite photographers. Their printing methods are remarkable and quite similar in my opinion, with subtle differences here and there, but they do not print their own work. I do not have a name for Nachtwey's printer, but it is said that Salgado's work is printed by Philippe Bachelier.

I believe this to be true because I visited Bachelier's website, and although the subject matter is different, the manner in which the are images are printed are strikingly similar to Salgado's printed images. They have the same dark and grainy beautiful look about them that I so love. This guys work is AWESOME to me and in my opinion, he may be the best printer alive.

To make a long story short, does anyone know the method he uses to make his blacks so rich (eg. film, developer, developmet method etc.)?

How does he print an image so dark and grainy, but yet still have an equal balance of shadows and highlights?

This is the look that I am interested in, but am now quite sure where to start.
Any help will be thoroughly appreciated because I am baffled.

The link to Bachelier's website is: http://www.philippebachelier.com/

The link to Nachtwey's site is: http://www.jamesnachtwey.com/

Thanx!

Hard to make a decision about Prints from web images...EC

loman · Dec 6, 2007

If you want to see how Granier prints, why don't you send some of your negatives to his newly opened black and white lab in Paris "Gamme de Gris". Then you can have the man himself do it for you, should be one big learning experience.
Best Regards
Mads

P.S. It is Granier who prints for Salgado, He says so himself, when he speaks about how much he's learned from printing his negatives.

jamusu · Dec 6, 2007

Thanx guys...

The info has been extremely helpful such far/ After googlling Dominique Granier's name this is what I got.

http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translat...g=18&c=3&lg=&lp=fr_en&.intl=us&fr=yfp-t-501-s

It takes a few seconds to load because it translates to english from french.

Jamusu.

Leon · Dec 6, 2007

I thought Salgado prints at least some of his own work .... well, that's what I picked up when I saw an exhibition of his earlier this year.

jamusu · Dec 6, 2007

It's Granier.

I read an interview where he talked about working with Salgado and he also mentions it on his website. Salgado also gives him credit as beng his printer on his website.

Thanx

patrickjames · Dec 6, 2007

This is the information from the credits of the documentary on Nachtwey ("War Photographer"), in which it shows him conversing with his printer and the printer doing his stuff. Lab is called MV Labs (Jim Megargee). They have an impressive client list and info if you Google them.

Patrick

jamusu · Dec 7, 2007

Will do patrick. Thanks for the info.

Jamusu.

Phillippe Bachelier's Technique? Best Printer Alive?

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