Starting Point for Pt/Pd

[Silverpixels5]

I seem to be having a bit of trouble finding exactly what i'm looking for in the alt process forumn, although i'm quite sure i'm just overlooking it. Anyway, I was looking for some direction in learning more about the Pt/Pd process. I seem to have become bored with my large format silver process and was looking to try something a bit different. I'm fine with silver for medium and small format, but I'd really like to try something more unique for my large format negs. Anyway, and direction(websites, books, workshops, etc.) would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Jorge]

Well, for workshops you being in Houston, you cant go wrong with taking Clay Harmon's workshop. He is very knowledgeable, has extensive experience with pt/pd in all kinds of papers and developers and he is an all around nice guy. Web site, you can visit Bostick & Sullivan, or www.alternativephotography.com. For books the bible is Dick Arentz's pt & pd printing. He told me he is working on a new edition, so maybe you can get the current one in the library and wait until the other one comes out.

Like you I was bored with my prints and gave pt/pd a shot, I am glad I did!

 

[Silverpixels5]

I found this site when doing a search about Pt/Pd: Dead Link Removed

Any idea if the information there is any good or not? I also plan buying Arentz's book since the Houston Public Library doesn't carry it. Should I consider studying the BTZS process as well in order to improve my chances of producing successful prints using a minimal amount of trials?

Thanks for any information you can provide!

 

[Deckled Edge]

I took a three day course from Kerik Kouklis. I feel that I can hold my own with other PtPd printers. I love the ability to craft an image from scratch.
Dead Link Removed

 

[Jorge]

I found this site when doing a search about Pt/Pd: Dead Link Removed

Any idea if the information there is any good or not? I also plan buying Arentz's book since the Houston Public Library doesn't carry it. Should I consider studying the BTZS process as well in order to improve my chances of producing successful prints using a minimal amount of trials?

Thanks for any information you can provide!

Sure, Mathias is a well known pt printer. His site has very valuable information, some of it is a bit too technical and some of it is a bit outdated. Certainly it is a good site to keep on your favorites folder.

Anything that helps you make a good negative is good. IMO the BTZS is invaluable, in conjuction with the expo/dev palm program, you can get as close as perfect exposures as possible. Since I started using it my precentage of keepers has tripled. What is more, I know that when something goes wrong it was my fault and I can trouble shoot it easily.

Of course there are many succesful pt/pd photographers that dont use it, but then I rather be safe than sorry.

Just remember the key to become a succesful pt/pd printer is persistance. The first few times you will make some of the most horrible prints ever seen, but once the penny drops, there is no going back.

Drop Clay a line and ask him about his workshops, he was of invaluable help to me and if he was able to help me by remote, I can just imagine how much more useful the information would be with him right next to you.

 

[clay]

I just finished teaching a workshop through HCP here in Houston a few weeks ago, and that would have been ideal. I don't have immediate plans to do any more, but I'd be glad to show you the basics sometime. I live up in Kingwood, and have a good setup for teaching. I definitely recommend a workshop to get you over the newbie 'butterflies'. It is a amazing how just learning something under the tutelage of an experienced person can cut out a lot of messing around and wasted time, money and energy.

I just got back from a weekend learning how to do wet-plate with an expert, and I can tell you that in that particular process, there would be no way I could learn in six months of do-it-yourself what I learned in two days with a master.

PM me and maybe we can set up a few days here and there to get you rolling.

Clay

 

[wmlaven]

If you want a vacation in San Francisco, contact me about one-on-one tutorials in Pt/Pd printing. I'm in Europe now, but will return Aug 1.

I agree with Clay and others that a workshop gets you over a decided hump in the proverbial learning curve and moves you far quickly. And a good workshop will make you a good self learner so you can do the rest on your own, especially with so many online resources and the Arentz and Sullivan/Weese books.

 

[Silverpixels5]

I just wanted to thank everyone for their direction. I will be meeting with Clay to get me started. Little did I know he lives about 5 minutes from me, so that will help out a lot.