Platinum/Palladium printing ethics and disclosure

[nworth]

Most people who make Pt/Pd prints use digital negatives these days. It allows them to make big prints and to control many factors which result in better prints. The practice has definitely resulted in better quality from the best printers. There are undoubtedly some people who would prefer, and possibly pay more for, contact prints from a camera negative. As long as you can make quality prints, there will be a market either way. The best marketing approach may be to be honest and to give full details: e.g. "Platinum print from an 8X10 camera negative printed on sized Arches BFK paper."

 

[Loris Medici]

Not trying to be argumentative here, but I must admit I really don't understand / like this (kinda scorning) undertone I feel from many messages; "printing pt/pd with any digital step in between is: impure / dishonest / ..." This can be the element in the agenda of "some" (not all!!!) APUG members, but it really isn't for the rest believe me. Let the art outshine your technique. (Unless it's something extraordinarily exceptional - maybe...)

Regards,
Loris.

 

[BellM]

Loris, I appreciate your comments and respect your opinion. But the answer to your comment below is, in my mind, simple.

Hoping you'll find a labeling / disclosure method that works both for you and your clientele.

100% analogue from camera to print. For full details see here (and a link)

or

Printed from a digital negative. For full details see here (and a link)

Regards and thanks to all who posted.

Mike

 

[BellM]

By the way my point is not that one is better than the other but simply that it's different and in my opinion is worthy of a simple explanation.

Mike

 

[Bill Burk]

It would be funny to include a QR code on the print with all the details.

Not to be scolding, but to appreciate. The analog process depends on a lot of factors coming together in an amazing coincidence that it works at all, that the artist had a hand in it all, and the result (constrained by self-imposed restrictions) is beautiful.

It is noteworthy that what used to be inconceivable (large PT/PD from miniature formats) (PT/PD from negatives that were not developed to long scale) is now possible. True it was possible to produce suitable internegatives - but the masters used original camera negatives and processed them (pretty much by feel) to fit the print.

 

[largeformat65]

Mike, my personal opinion is that how you make your artwork is your business and as long as you are not dishonest in your marketing then all is well. It's artwork... there are no rules, at least fundamentally speaking. I would say that almost anyone interested in your prints could care less how you made the print and your focus should be on making the best print possible--whatever means you elect to use. Your average buyer wouldn't know the difference between a sheet of Tri-X versus a digital negative and even if you could explain it to them they would wonder why you are telling them such things... I've made Pt/Pd prints from my iPhone and people have picked those over prints that I did on my 8x10! Just have fun with your artwork and my two cents is to focus on your end product and the process of how you got there is just that--a process that should be lost when people view your work.

Want to know the difference between a masterpiece and a print that collects dust? Marketing! I would suggest investing most of your time identifying your potential market, how you are going to reach them, how much will the process of reaching them cost and understanding the cost of the sales cycle as compared to your retail price. Sitting around at art shows is very long and tiresome work and you would do well to make any real money assuming you factor in the value of your time. I've seen many stunning prints in archival boxes at estate sales over the years. Good luck on your journey and I say focus on your end product and making it the highest quality you are capable of in addition to investing the balance of your time in marketing (assuming your goal is to sell your work).

LF

 

[BellM]

Great advice, thank you.

Mike

 

[O-zone]

I think it's good to let folks know if your print is from analog or digital. It would only matter to a purist but it could mean the difference between sell a print or not. ko