First Platinum/Palladium Prints

Officially, I have touched the grail, held it in my own very hands in the form of a platinum/palladium print fresh out of the ETDA baths. More than thirty years I thought of this moment, actually just the thought of ever doing it in my lifetime. Because I am using Dick Arentz and Richard Sullivan's newly formulated process for palladium printing, using platinum as the contrast control, as well as creating the blacks in the image so beloved of platinum.

Technically speaking, absolutely noting changed in the process, with exception of adding 2 drops of 2.5% solution of platinum to the standard palladium printing mix. The platinum adds two desirable affects to the print. First, there is no reticulation of the image using platinum, instead of a chelated oxalate as the contrast control. Second, it eliminates any normal 'bronzing' of the palladium image, which shows up in the shadows and black areas. With the platinum, no bronzing, and rich blacks where desired. Also, as noted in the presentation of their formula, there is better tonal separation and a sort of creamier image. I immediately noted the rich blacks of the first image out in the test print. No softening of the darker regions of shadow details with the platinum, those regions became rich black.

All technical aspects of this print and negative, are the same as the earlier straight palladium prints; Negatives ~ Kodak 250 Super XX rated (160) Developed pyro/OH 15-18 minutes
Printed on Revere Platinum paper ~ toothier side
Direct sunlight ~ 7 minutes

Platinum/Palladium print
"The Horse Pasture"
Eugene, Oregon