Wednesday, February 16, 2011

The "Forever Print"

One of the most intriguing types of printing process out there is the Platinum print. This process is named after the platinum compound that is used to develop the print. The platinum compound gives the finished photo a longer overall lifespan as writer Tim Gray states "In the larger scheme of things the difference between 100 years or more for an inkjet (some archival BW inkjet prints are pressing towards several hundred years) and 500 or more for a platinum print..." While this longevity is a pretty amazing aspect, photographers have to pay through the nose to print like this. The average estimated cost of a 8x10 platinum print is $6-8. That is almost 12 times as expensive as a normal silver print. However platinum prints also have a high dynamic range and, as many photographers and art collectors find, attractive aesthetics. The tonal range of platinum printing are rich and full with a subdued feel to them which also makes them attractive in the eyes of collectors.

If you are interested in making a career out of platinum printing look no further than the infamous writer and photographer V. Tony Hauser author of Facing Artists and Stage Presence. These last three videos are some of his tips, tricks and experiences for successful Platinum Printing.

2 comments:

  1. thanks for posting the videos - what an amazing process. Beautiful.

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  2. Nice post - the videos were really informative.

    ReplyDelete