Platinotype: Making Photographs in Platinum and Palladium with the Contemporary Printing-out Process

by Pradip Malde, Mike Ware

Making Photographs in Platinum and Palladium with the Contemporary Printing-out Process describes the mechanisms and chemistry of platinum/palladium printing in safe and practical ways. Clearly presented formulae allow the printer to work with platinum, palladium, or varying combinations of both. The printed-out image appears fully during exposure, and only requires simple and safe steps for clearing to a stable, archival state.

The authors explain what makes the image, how all necessary components are prepared and used, and the kind of paper and negative needed to make prints. More than just a technical manual, the book underscores the authors' belief that printing is a creative, scientific, and philosophic way of working. The book presents an outstanding collection of prints by over 40 artists, all made with this printing-out process. The artists' notes and comments offer insights into their methods and thinking, and a large number of full-page reproductions serve as a valuable reference for the aspiring printer.

The book



A list of supplies and equipment

A detailed chemical glossary

A Quick-start section in the Preface

Summary sheets and workflows for each step of the process

Instructions for making traditional negatives with Pyro PMK and digital negatives

Explanation of the chemistry and dynamics of paper, and how to use buffered papers

Instructions for controlling hydration processes and humidity

Instructions for preparing each chemical solution needed for the process

Discussion about the aesthetics of the platinum/palladium print

Explanation of the relationships between light, image, and expression

A detailed troubleshooting list

Recommendations from conservators about processing, handling, and conservation

Contemporary artists using the printing-out platinum/palladium process. Learning how to make platinum/palladium prints has been cloaked in a mystique of difficulty. Platinotype presents the process as a set of clearly explained and defined steps. Like other books in the series, Platinotype is a detailed and inspiring manual, accessible to both novices and experts, and illustrative of the contemporary arts.

418 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 29, 2020

Reviews

[Lynne Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Platinotype: Making Photographs in Platinum and Palladium with the Contemporary Printing-Out Process, written by Pradip Malde with Dr. Mike Ware, is an exceptional book and the bible of Platinum Palladium printing. The formulae and crystal clear directions for how to make beautiful prints takes the guesswork out of the process and enables the artist to focus on creative expression. The authors believe that “printing is a creative, scientific, and philosophic way of working.” I can attest that since purchasing and reading this insightful book and pouring through all the images, my process has improved to the point that all these components are present in a wholistic way. Platinum and palladium are expensive precious metals and the book provides explicit instructions on how to achieve optimal results without wasting chemistry. However, great work is not just technical and the artist’s soul needs to come across as well. The chapter on Looking and Seeing and the collection of prints in the second half of the book convey how and why this process can achieve the melding of science and art in such a superior way. Purchasing this book is a must if you want to truly dance in the gray.

[Hunter Swenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the past 6 years I have has the honor to learning how to use the platinum-palladium print-out method from Pradip Malde. This book contains more than the sum total of 6 years of classes in an easy to understand way. An issue that resides in a fair share of photography and photographic print making books is that the authors present methods that lack a degree of replicability for the first timer; all can rest assure that that is not the case with this book. Pradip Malde and Mike Ware have created systems that allow any one with any experience with this print process capable to produce a perfect print right off the bat. As a final note, this book is more than just a technical publication, it is a beautiful intersection of artistic and analytical thought soaked with a massive accumulation of works by contemporary platinum and palladium printers. All the work shows the significance this process has in contemporary photography along with its great versatility. A true experience and treasure in the printing studio.