Platinum Printing in the 21st Century

Discover the timeless beauty of Platinum/Palladium printing, turning your photographs into printed masterpieces in this hands-on workshop led by Tillman Crane.

If this is your first time making a platinum print, this workshop will give you the knowledge and experience you need to make them in your darkroom. More experienced platinum printers can use this workshop to build on their skill set and solve printing problems. This workshop is not suitable for someone looking to make final prints for an exhibition. This service is available in my Platinum Atelier.

We will work with the Traditional Platinum/Palladium Printing Process, but we will discuss Palladium only and the NA2 Process. Additional topics include paper choices, image color, contrast controls, different coating methods, use of step wedges, and masking techniques. If time and interest allow, I will demonstrate making different developers and mixing sensitizers and solutions from dry chemicals.

You must be able to edit your work using a color management system (Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop are preferred) and export files to a printer and/or a thumb drive.

We will use Photoshop to make the negatives. Students should bring plenty of digital image files they want to print as TIFFs, at least 360 dpi, in sRGB color space, and sized to the desired print size.

If you use a program like Capture One, you must export your files to a thumb drive and work on a workshop iMac using Photoshop to make negatives.

We will have several Epson printers available in the classroom. You will create and print your negatives using my standard curve for Epson printers. The curves we will be using are for Photoshop only.

The largest suggested print size is 8×10 TIFF at 360 dpi. I do not recommend making prints larger than 8×10 when learning the process. Platinum/Palladium printing is expensive, but with well-made negatives, you can make about fifteen (15) 8×10 prints with the required kit. This keeps the cost to about $40 a print.

During the week, you can expect to spend most of your time making prints. I will give a lecture each day, adding further information or techniques that build on the previous day’s work. However, you may have opportunities to make new images during the workshop, so bring your camera and laptop computer. All file editing and printing will be done using Maine Media Computers in their digital lab.

I have arranged with Bostick and Sullivan to assemble a special kit for this class. Everyone will be using the same supplies.

Required supplies

The Bostick and Sullivan Platinum Palladium Kit for this workshop includes:

•  35 ml Traditional Platinum & Palladium Combo Kit 
•  11×15″ Rever Platinum Rag
•  2-inch Langnickel Brush 

You must call Bostick and Sullivan at (505) 474-0890 and ask for the Tillman Crane Platinum Palladium Kit for the Maine Media Workshop Class, June 28 to July 2, 2027

The approximate cost for these essential materials is $600 (about 20 8×10 prints). You must have your materials ready to begin the class on Monday morning. You will not be allowed in the course if you do not have your supplies. I suggest you order your kits no later than four weeks before the class is scheduled to begin. 

All my prints are platinum/palladium prints and have been for over 30 years. I love the look and feel of the finished print and continue to love working with the process. I hope that you discover an affinity for this beautiful process, too.

Tillman Crane.