Platinum palladium printing is a traditional handmade photographic printmaking technique dating back to a period in photographic history that predates gelatin silver prints (GSP). Contrary to GSP’s, these prints are only sensitive to UV light and were originally exposed outside under direct sunlight. With the advancements of modern technology, they are now exposed by high-intensity metal halide bulbs inside the darkroom. The prints are created by way of "contact printing" which means the photographic negative must be as large as the final print. Because of this size limitation, photographers and printmakers were limited to the size of the cameras they could carry until the digital age, where we can now create what are known as "digital negatives." These negatives can be printed at nearly any size and can be used to create platinum palladium prints up to 44" wide. 

Digital negatives can be made from any digital file from a digital camera, or a film scan. For more information on my scanning services, click here.

Platinum palladium prints are unparalleled by any modern printing technique, both in appearance and performance. These prints are favored by art collectors due to their longevity and appearance. The tonal range of platinum palladium prints is unmatched, even by modern digital inkjet printers. The final color tonality can range from warm black to reddish brown, with a range of grays in the mid-tones. Pure platinum (platinotype) prints tend to have higher contrast and cooler tones, while pure palladium (palladiotype) prints can tend to have a warmer appearance with deeper blacks and softer highlights. The mixture of platinum and palladium can create a balance between the two appearances and tonalities, which is applicable to most images. Platinum and palladium prints are some of the most durable of all photographic processes. The platinum (and sister element palladium) element is incredibly stable against chemical reactions that may degrade the print and are even more stable than gold.