PLATINUM PRINTING IN THE 21st CENTURY
July 9 – 13, 2010
Peters Valley Craft Center, Layton, New Jersey
Register at www.petersvalley.org
October 22 – 24, 2010
Camden, Maine
Tuition: $650
The 21st century has opened up opportunities for photographers working in all formats, traditional film or digital, to make platinum prints. Students should bring to the workshop either 4x5 or larger negatives (up to 8x10) or a CD of high quality scans. We will use the scans to make digitally enlarged negatives for platinum printing if needed. However, the emphasis of this workshop is on making the platinum print so we will be using pre-determined curves and not individualizing curves for your printers at home.
We will work with both the traditional and the NA2 platinum/palladium printing processes. Topics to be covered include: paper choices, image color, contrast controls, basic hand coating methods, use of step wedges and sensitometry and masking techniques. By attending this workshop beginner platinum printers will be knowledgeable to work independently making platinum prints in your own darkroom. The more experienced platinum printer can use this workshop to build on their skill set and problem-solve printing issues.
The Maine workshop begins Friday night from 7 – 9 p.m. We will enjoy dessert together while making introductions. Each student should bring a representative body of work (8 – 10 images) to share with the group. We will make a couple of digital negatives for those who need them so that we can begin printing first thing in the morning. The workshop continues Saturday (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.) and Sunday (9a.m. – 4 p.m.). Lunches are not included but we will order in or go out as a group. You are invited Saturday night to enjoy a meal at my home. Additional guests may be included with advanced notice.
Students should bring their own platinum printing kit. Contact me at tillman@tillmancrane.com before purchasing your kit at Bostick and Sullivan so that we can determine which kit you will need. This kit will allow you to make approximately 25 – 35 8x10 prints. Paper and developers will be provided, as will the use of my exposure units and glass coating rods. A student list of other supplies follows:
Student Supply List
- Negatives – 4x5 to 8x10, that print on a Grade 1-2 photographic paper should work well for platinum printing. Students can also bring a CD of quality digital scans for output as enlarged digital negatives.
- 8 – 10 representative prints of your work to share with the group.
- Contact printing frame (if you have one)
- Any other platinum supplies you may have (coating rods & brushes, measuring and mixing glass containers, drop dispensers, paper, etc.)
This is a great “hands on” introduction to the fine art of platinum printing as well as an opportunity for the more experienced platinum printer to hone their skills. With one-on-one guidance and two full days of making prints, this workshop is guaranteed to be an excellent opportunity for the photographically curious.
Registration
For further information or to register for the class at Peters Valley Craft Center visit www.petersvalley.org. To register for the class in Maine contact donna@tillmancrane.com. For questions contact tillman@tillmancrane.com.
Transportation, lodging (for Maine)
Airports:
Portland, ME (PWM) served by several major airlines
Rockland, ME (RKD) served by Continental Express
Rental Car:
Portland has most major Rental Companies available.
Rockland has Budget, Enterprise
Lodging:
Camden has many lovely B&B’s, hotels and motels of varying price ranges. Visit the Chamber of Commerce web site for details: www.visitcamden.com.
Meals:
Breakfast - On your own.
Lunch - Ordered out or on the road.
Dinner - Most evenings out to a restaurant as a group; one evening at my home.
Field Trips:
Several will be made locally.