Platinum print - Making of

Platinum printing, also known as platinotype, was developed in the 1870s by Englishman William Willis. By the 1880s, it had become a popular alternative to the dominant silver-based photographic processes of the time. Its allure was primarily due to its ability to render a more extensive tonal range, producing images with subtle gradations of gray, deep blacks, and delicate highlights. However, due to the high cost of platinum and the advent of more convenient and cheaper photographic methods, its popularity waned after World War I, regaining a revival in the latter half of the 20th century.

One of the key aspects of platinum printing is that the platinum sits within the fibers of the paper rather than on the surface, which contributes to the print’s durability and unique texture. This quality also ensures that platinum prints are highly stable and resistant to fading or discoloration over time, unlike silver prints, which are more vulnerable to deterioration.

The process begins with a paper that is hand-coated with a mixture of light-sensitive ferric oxalate and platinum or palladium salts. Once the paper is coated, it is dried and then placed in contact with a negative inside a printing frame. Because platinum printing is a contact process, the negative must be the same size as the final print, necessitating large-format negatives.

Exposure is achieved through ultraviolet (UV) light, either from the sun or a UV light source. The exposed paper is then “cleared” and washed in several different baths, which reduces the platinum salts to metallic platinum. Unlike silver prints, where the image is suspended in a gelatin emulsion, the platinum image becomes an integral part of the paper's fibers, resulting in a matte finish with subtle, soft textures.

One of the primary reasons for the popularity of platinum printing, particularly among fine art photographers, is its archival quality. Platinum is one of the most stable metals, making prints highly resistant to fading over time. The tonal range of platinum prints is also exceptional, capable of rendering delicate mid-tones and deep blacks with great detail. The colors of platinum prints can vary, often appearing in warm black, gray, or brown hues, depending on the development process and paper type.

Though expensive and labor-intensive, the platinum print process is prized for the depth, warmth, and permanence it imparts to photographs, making it a favorite among collectors and artists alike.