Re: Glossy platinotypes
Beakman (beakman@netcom.com)
Tue, 23 May 1995 06:07:32 -0700 (PDT)
>
> Here's a nice quote that reminds me of P. H. Emerson's celebrated remark
> about certain people who print landscapes in cyanotype:
>
> "He who glazes a platinotype commits an aesthetic sin; he would hardly
> stop short of varnishing an engraving should the 'happy thought' strike
> him" - Herbert B. Berkeley, "The Platinotype Process" Photographic News,
> 18 Feb. 1881, p. 81
>
> Berkeley does, however, go on to allow applying wax to deep shadows to
> increase brilliance, even if this isn't something modern conservators
> would recommend. I wonder what he would have thought of Sprint Print
> Brightner? Dave Fokos take note! (;-)
The Sprint Print Brightener seems to affect the paper - making it more
bluish-white rather than brownish-white. It seems to have no affect on
the platinum itself, and adds no gloss or added Dmax. I found the print
brightener to be a good way to achieve a cooler Pt/Pd print, but to be
honest, I don't use the stuff myself - mainly because I like the tone I
get without it.
Also while we're on the subject... I am currently in the process of
running a test on the stability of the print brightening process as
suggested by Luis. As I am in the midst of writing a how-to book, I
would hate to recommend something which was not stable.
gotta run... more later!
Dave Fokos