Hi everyone- I’m Matt Locke, who wrote this WITI, and I just want to say I love all your comments, especially about selenium toning, which we also did at Art School. This thread is quite the nostalgia trip for me. Thanks!
Platinum Photography
41–48 of 48 posts
Re: Platinum Photography
#42Carbon prints are both more stable and have a wider possible tonal range than platinum prints do. I’m not sure where he got the idea that platinum prints have a wide tonal range from. While they have exquisite highlight separation, they tend to have a rather compressed, flat tonal range. The dimensionality he talks about due to the emulsion sinking into the paper fibers is also a reason for the compressed tonal range.
Very few people use pure platinum salts. Most prefer a mix of platinum and palladium to get better darker tones. It is also more likely that vintage “platinum” prints are probably platinum toned Kallitypes.
All of the positive things he attributes to platinum prints are probably better applied to carbon prints. I think carbon is the ultimate printing medium for monotone photographs. Maximum control of tonal range, detail, and the best longevity.
Re: Platinum Photography
#43There are metal replacement toners that replace the silver in a print with either gold or platinum. This way the print can be made normally with an enlarger and silver chemistry to overcome the contact printing limitation. Toning improves the longevity of the print and provides many of the same tonal effects, depending on how long the print sits in the bath. Unfortunately, the chemicals involved are quite toxic. I re…
I have a book that is only about photographic toners. I think that’s where I read that many vintage “platinum” prints are actually platinum toned Kallitypes. Still platinum on the paper in the end.
Re: Platinum Photography
#44Earlier quoted context omitted.
San Francisco has the Harvey Milk Photo Center, which has a huge dark room and film processing facilities. It's pretty awesome. I've taken several classes there. https://www.harveymilkphotocenter.org/
Wow, thank you! Sounds like I can even learn how to use the darkroom there. Boy, I love that we have stuff like this here. Shoutout to Oscar’s in SOMA for doing a great job developing my stuff for me, fwiw.
Absolutely. There are regular darkroom classes you can sign up for. It's kind of hard to get a spot because the classes are small but my teacher said people also have learned how on YouTube and then come in to practice.
Re: Platinum Photography
#45There are metal replacement toners that replace the silver in a print with either gold or platinum. This way the print can be made normally with an enlarger and silver chemistry to overcome the contact printing limitation. Toning improves the longevity of the print and provides many of the same tonal effects, depending on how long the print sits in the bath. Unfortunately, the chemicals involved are quite toxic. I re…
Any vendors of toner replacement chem you could pass along?
Photographers' Formulary is your place https://stores.photoformulary.com/>
Re: Platinum Photography
#46There are metal replacement toners that replace the silver in a print with either gold or platinum. This way the print can be made normally with an enlarger and silver chemistry to overcome the contact printing limitation. Toning improves the longevity of the print and provides many of the same tonal effects, depending on how long the print sits in the bath. Unfortunately, the chemicals involved are quite toxic. I re…
I have a book that is only about photographic toners. I think that’s where I read that many vintage “platinum” prints are actually platinum toned Kallitypes. Still platinum on the paper in the end.
Could you share the book details?
Re: Platinum Photography
#47Earlier quoted context omitted.
>Rayko I got into film photography too late to ever visit Rayko. How I wish it had survived, somehow. Having a whole darkroom for rent in town would be incredible.
San Francisco has the Harvey Milk Photo Center, which has a huge dark room and film processing facilities. It's pretty awesome. I've taken several classes there. https://www.harveymilkphotocenter.org/
In case anyone from central Indiana stumbles upon this thread, the Indianapolis Art Center also has a darkroom with inexpensive classes. I’m anxiously awaiting my next class this fall.
Re: Platinum Photography
#48Earlier quoted context omitted.
I have a book that is only about photographic toners. I think that’s where I read that many vintage “platinum” prints are actually platinum toned Kallitypes. Still platinum on the paper in the end.
Could you share the book details?
Sorry for the late reply. Holy cow this thing got expensive! https://www.amazon.com/Photographers-Toning-Book-Definitive-...
It is the most comprehensive guide to toners I have ever seen. Glad I kept a copy of it!