PT/PD Printing for Dummies Like me?

[bmac]

I have been thinking about trying my hand at PT/PD printing for a while now. I ordered Dick's book, but it just makes my head spin. I've been looking for a simple no nonsense set of instructions for a simpleton like me.

I came across the following link.

http://www.platinumphotographer.com/plat.html

It makes sense to me, but is it correct?

Brian

 

[Jorge]

I have been thinking about trying my hand at PT/PD printing for a while now. I ordered Dick's book, but it just makes my head spin. I've been looking for a simple no nonsense set of instructions for a simpleton like me.

I came across the following link.

http://www.platinumphotographer.com/plat.html

It makes sense to me, but is it correct?

Brian

Brian, the information in the site is correct if a little outdated. You can certainly do pt/pd without sensitometry, it is a little bit harder but not impossible. Kerik does beautiful work and I think he uses little sensitometry.

One thing about the contrast grade chart the guy presents. I beleive it is the same as Arentz's, you dont want to use the higher grades, they usually produce grainy prints. The best thing is to have a good negative, if anything err on the side of over exposure and higher dievelopment than trying to fix it at printing time with the contrast solutions. Ideally you want to use solution numbers 7 and below. Once you get more experience if you like it, you can start using restrainer in the developer or sodium platinate as a restrainer instead of solution number 2.

Do not use a hole sheet to make printing time tests. Coat a sheet, cut it in 3 parts and use one of the strips to make exposure tests.

Most important is not to get discouraged if the initial prints dont come out good, with a little perseverance you will get the hang of it and you will be hooked.

Good luck and PM me if you need any help.

PS, I forgot to mention, for your negatives start with 2/3 more exposure than what you usually use and about 20% more developing time. The neg should look dense unless you are using a pyro developer. I would say it is better to start with a non staining developer like HC110 and then move on to something you like better. HC110 is certainly capable of producing enough contrast with TMX 400.

IOW, a negative that would print too hot in grade 1 paper, would probably work for pt/pd.

 

[Peter Schrager]

Platinum

Your best bet is to take a class with someone who knows their stuff. Why fiddle around with expensive materials. There is NO big secret to Plat/Palad printing; it just depends how well you want do it. Some books:THE NEW PLATINUM PRINT;BY SULLIVAN AND WEESE; PLATINUM PRINTING BT ARENTZ; AND THE KEEPERS OF LIGHT- A CLASSIC FOR MANY ALT PROCESSES. I"m sure if you posted interest on APUG you could find someone willing to teach you
Good luck!
Peter

 

[bmac]

I think I may make a go of it and just see how it works. I've got several negs that print well with AZO, so they should be in the ballpark... well at least in the same zip code as the ballpark.

Brian

 

[Jorge]

I think I may make a go of it and just see how it works. I've got several negs that print well with AZO, so they should be in the ballpark... well at least in the same zip code as the ballpark.

Brian

Azo negs should work just fine.

 

[Jan Pietrzak]

Peter

Funny you should say that, I am doing a workshop for the Univ California Santa Cruz in Santa Clara the first of next month. November 5-6-7 sooo Brian there's your workshop. You can pm me for any questions.

Jan Pietrzak

 

[Aggie]

lol, I was just going to messenge Brian with Jan's name and info. I can't be at Jan's workshop, becasue of one I helping with in a few days after that one. You'll like Jan, Brian. He is a hoot to be around. More the American version of Les.

 

[wfwhitaker]

Brian,

Your post is very timely. I have just returned from an introductory platinum/palladium workshop with Kerik Kouklis (Dead Link Removed) and have nothing but praise. I had never considered the title "Platinum Printing for Dummies", but Kerik's approach almost qualifies as it is very intuitive and non-threatening. He makes the process remarkably approachable. In fact, it almost seems downright simple.

Dick Arentz's approach (so I'm told) is very "by the numbers". If you're not the quantitative type, it's not surprising that his book "makes your head spin". Kerik is much more qualitative and intuitive. There is no sensitometry involved. Both are excellent photographers and printers. But they approach the medium very differently. I have a feeling that you'd respond well to Kerik's teaching.

I've posted one of my early results in my personal gallery. I've got a long way to go, but I was able to get something reasonable the first time out. It's very encouraging and very exciting. It's also a lot of fun!

Best,
Will

 

[wmlaven]

Kerik and Jan are great teachers (I know them both) and I'll offer my services as well.

I teach one-on-one tutorials in San Francisco.

see www.platinotype.com (page is dated) or contact me at wmlaven@platinotype.com

 

[Aggie]

I plan on trying platinum in the future. My problem has always been having to rely on a densitometer. I would rather get a feel for what is a good negative by sight. Then I have no problem with mixing chemicals or such. What I have problems with is having instructions told to me, or reading them in a book without seeing a demo. I am a firm believer in demo's for dummies. I admit it, I am a visual person. I need to see it done.

Brian, you and Alp if you could wait til Jan. I would gladly do the workshop then with both of you. If not I can say Jan's course is going to be nearly in your back yard for closeness. Kerik I really respect, having seen some of his work. I don't know wmlaven, but I am sure he does well too. We are all just lucky that we have such good options so close to us.

 

[Jan Pietrzak]

Aggie,

Sorry you have-to-be in Zion that next weekend. It should be good and cold.
We saw the first dusting of snow on the Sierras this last weekend, twenty or so people saying how are we getting home. Some of the passes where closed on sunday.

Maybe, just maybe Kerik, William and I need to do a week long P/P workshop some time. I am sure we could find a place like Aggies house for 15 to 20 students it could be fun. Just a thought.

Jan Pietrzak

 

[Jorge]

I plan on trying platinum in the future. My problem has always been having to rely on a densitometer. I would rather get a feel for what is a good negative by sight. Then I have no problem with mixing chemicals or such. What I have problems with is having instructions told to me, or reading them in a book without seeing a demo. I am a firm believer in demo's for dummies. I admit it, I am a visual person. I need to see it done.

Brian, you and Alp if you could wait til Jan. I would gladly do the workshop then with both of you. If not I can say Jan's course is going to be nearly in your back yard for closeness. Kerik I really respect, having seen some of his work. I don't know wmlaven, but I am sure he does well too. We are all just lucky that we have such good options so close to us.

If this is the approach you like, I beleive Kerik would be the best choice. I dont know Jan (hell for that matter I dont know Kerik personally) so I cannot comment on his instruction, but everything I have heard from Kerik's workshops has always been glowing praise with no sensitometry..

He and Clay were the two most helpful persons when I started. Their advice never failed and was always explained in detail, IMO you cannot go wrong with taking a workshop from either of them.

Last, pt/pd is a bit hard to master, but it is not all that hard, nor is it balck magic, all that requires is a little stick ot it and in no time you will be making wonderful prints.

 

[Kerik]

If this is the approach you like, I beleive Kerik would be the best choice. I dont know Jan (hell for that matter I dont know Kerik personally) so I cannot comment on his instruction, but everything I have heard from Kerik's workshops has always been glowing praise with no sensitometry..

He and Clay were the two most helpful persons when I started. Their advice never failed and was always explained in detail, IMO you cannot go wrong with taking a workshop from either of them.

Last, pt/pd is a bit hard to master, but it is not all that hard, nor is it balck magic, all that requires is a little stick ot it and in no time you will be making wonderful prints.

Thanks to Will, Jorge, Jan and William Laven for your kind words. All greatly appreciated. And I am confident one could get fine instruction from any of us.

But, let me shamelessly throw in a plug for another workshop I have coming up in a couple of weeks... I will be teaching a beginning pt/pd workshop in Yosemite with the Ansel Adams Gallery November 4-6. If you (or anyone) is interested, contact me directly or you can sign up on the Ansel Adams Gallery website (www.anseladams.com). As of last friday there were still a couple of slots open.

Thanks again. The kindness is appreciated!

Kerik Kouklis
www.kerik.com

 

[DeanC]

Maybe, just maybe Kerik, William and I need to do a week long P/P workshop some time. I am sure we could find a place like Aggies house for 15 to 20 students it could be fun. Just a thought.

That's a hell of an idea. I'm starting to look for a good workshop in 2005 right now, myself. If you guys do that I'll gladly fill up one space...

Dean

 

[colrehogan]

I'm waiting to find out what Kerik's 2005 workshop schedule is too.

 

[Thomassauerwein]

Brian, I'm in the process of working out the bugs in my way of printing in plat, plad. No problems so far even without fancy densitometer equipment. It is really not tough with lots of ways to overcome variables alone the process. Give it a try although not easy there is a short learning curve.

 

[photomc]

Missed this post while out of town. Brian, as you know I have been working on some Ziatypes and for me, it was the best way to get into this type of process. The small kit from Bostick and Sullivan is less than $80 US and after I built the proto-type light source for UV have to say it is not only fun, but starting to wish I had larger negatives (currently using 4x5). Can't say I have mastered anything, but have gotten some pretty good prints. Prints in the mail right now for some solid input.

While I would love to get a good workshop in, just not possible right now. The Zia's really are not hard - if I figured out what to do (with lots of input from this site BTW) someone with your talent should get it with no problem. What is really cool to me is these are some really old process and still just a blast to work with. Feels like you are interacting with the print, just in a different way than silver prints.

Have never met Kerik, so can not say first hand what a workshop is like..but I like his work enough to have one of his works hanging on my wall.

 

[Kerik]

I'm waiting to find out what Kerik's 2005 workshop schedule is too.

Hi Diane,

I just posted my 2005 workshop schedule on my website. Some dates are still to-be-determined, but several are set. Go here for the details:

Dead Link Removed

If you have any questions, email me directly.

Thanks for your interest!

Kerik

 

[colrehogan]

Thanks Kerik!