Platinum and other alt process solutions on Baryta paper

Hello All,

Long time lurker, occasional poster here.

I have recently revised and re-designed a booklet that I wrote a while back aimed at helping anyone familiar with hand coating cotton papers achieve an even coating of platinum and palladium (and other alt technique) solutions on fixed-out baryta paper.

If you have some extra or out-of-date baryta aka fibre-based photo paper laying around, you can fix the silver out of it, wash it and dry it and have a fantastic substrate for alt process printing....if you can convince the solutions to cooperate. It took me a couple of years to figure out just how to do that, but I finally managed it and that is what my "how to" guide is all about.

Plat/palladium prints on baryta paper have the same subtle gradation of tones as prints on cotton paper but, according to my most recent measurements, they have nearly a gajillion times more detail and a boat-load more Dmax. The warm tones are more intense, the depth more, well, deeper, and the images are so sharp that you may want to have a first aid kit handy in case you cut your eyeball looking at them.

WARNING SELF PROMO ALERT:

So I am posting here today to let you all know that my guide is now available (in a new and improved design) via Blurb just in time for Festivus. If you would like to purchase a copy, hit the "buy" button here, and feel good knowing that you will soon be making platinum/palladium prints that make all others look like anemic vampires and that I have promised Sean that I will donate a percentage of the sales to this fine forum.

Here's the blurb link: http://www.blurb.com/my/book/detail/1819950

Happy printing!!!

Hi Craig, just bought a copy. Looking forward to utilizing your new instructions.

Thanks doughowk!

Let me know how your prints turn out, and don't hesitate to ask for advice if you hit a snag.

Over on the Hybrid forum, a member kindly offered his feedback on the way I have brought my revised book to the attention of APUGers and others. It seems that I could have done a better job.

For example, I should have provided side by side examples of prints on cotton paper and baryta paper. Good tip! here they are:

Image on Arches Platine


Same image on fixed-out Ilford Gallery paper



It was also pointed out that there is no lower priced download-a-PDF option, only a book. Another good point, I will be looking into the Lulu PDF option. Stay tuned. Also stay tuned for, hopefully, a review from someone who purchases the book.

It was also pointed out that my posting history here makes it look like I just parachuted into the forum to sell a book. Well, I do plead guilty to regular lurking and irregular posting on APUG but the pt/pd book has been on the back burner for a long time. I have been working on other books (mainly about dogs www.dogwilling.ca) and setting up a publishing company. FWIW my posting history on gundog sites borders on the obsessive. When the book was finally good to go, I figured I should pipe up and let folks know that it is available. I may not have gone about it in the most effective way.

Live and learn.

Craig, received the book today and just reading the quick reference has been a big help in clearing up some problems I've had in the past. Looking forward to reading it & trying your method. Also the images are great - very nice work.
Btw, any problem with subbing a Richeson brush for a puddle pusher?

Just ordered a copy too.
Craig, your posts have always been useful and you're contributing info to the site, I wouldn't worry about self promotion.

Craig...just ordered the book and it looks to be great
thanks, Peter

doughowk said:

Craig, received the book today and just reading the quick reference has been a big help in clearing up some problems I've had in the past. Looking forward to reading it & trying your method. Also the images are great - very nice work.Btw, any problem with subbing a Richeson brush for a puddle pusher?

Click to expand...

Thanks doughowk,

I have used a Richeson brush and although I have yet to get it down pat, it shows great promise! I think it could be a very effective tool for the process ...it seems to combine the best qualities of the puddle pusher and foam brush in one instrument... so I plan to do some more work with it.

Let me know your results and we can compare notes.

just got the book today and ordered some tween20 for the process...busy fixing out some old kodabromide
and Ilford Wt.... will take it all down to florida to put it to the test. thanks Craig!!!
also have the new pop paper waiting for me the..so I will be busy!!
Best, Peter

Good luck Peter, and enjoy the warm Florida sun! The heat and humidity down there should make coating easier. I am up here with minus 30 outside and dry, dry air inside. Coating takes a bit more patience but a humidifier running full blast really helps.

Let us know how you are making out with your prints, post examples if you can.

New EBOOK version available

Hi All,

I have finally managed to get an ebook version of my guide published. It is now available on Blurb at http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/2943388

NOTE: For some reason, when you add an e-book version to Blurb, you have to offer a print option for the same files. But since they have been tweaked for the ebook version, I am not sure how they will come through in print.

If you wish to order the print version, here is the link to the original print-formated edition: http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1819950


Mod's feel free to delete if I am in violation of any self promo guidelines.