See more of Pete's videos here:
https://www.youtube.com/@pete-davis-photography/videos
Some of Pete's books and exhibition catalogues available here: https://petedavisphotography.bigcartel.com/
The various periods of lockdown have been advantageous in one respect, that they have given me time to reflect on previous work, edit and publish three books one of which includes new work and spending more time making platinum prints.
My first platinum prints were made as part of my 'Cader Idris' work in the early 1990's when I produced a limited edition portfolio. you can see it here on my 'platinum' page on my website https://www.pete-davis-photography.com/platinum-printing
I mostly work from original 10" x 8" negatives but sometimes make enlarged negatives from existing work. After marking the negative area lightly on the paper; (my choice is for 'Arches Platine' 310 gsm.), I tape the paper to a stable flat surface for coating before mixing the solutions. A combination of platinum, palladium and ferric oxalate.
For image 'colour' I prefer the cooler tones by using mostly platinum in the coating mix and just a smaller proportion of palladium. The mixture becomes light sensitive when the ferric oxalate is added. However, the whole process can be carried out in subdued incandescent light as the solution is sensitive only to ultra violet. The coating can be carried out by use of a coating rod or brush.
The solution soaks in to the surface of the paper giving a very different look to the finished image which is literally 'in' the paper rather than 'on' it. When dry the sensitised paper is contact printed using an ultra violet light source. After exposure, unlike printing on to silver based papers, the image is already partly formed. Mainly the low values or dark areas of the image are already partially printed out. This is simply the action of the U.V. light on the sensitised surface. Likewise, the development process is very different. Once in the developer the image appears fully almost instantaneously. Sliding the exposed print in slowly would cause one half to develop before another maybe causing stripes and bubbles so it's safer to place the print in an empty tray and pour the solution over every part of the print immediately. A brief rinse in running water is followed by a series of clearing baths, a final 30-45 minute wash before drying. These prints, as well as displaying an inherent beauty which is of a different order to silver / gelatin prints are fully archival and will outlast every other image medium. The platinum / palladium are noble metals and the paper base is 100% rag free cotton.
