An Outline for Learning the Pt/Pd Process

~~~~~~~~ Excerpt from the Guide to Platinum Palladium Photographic Printmaking by Jeffrey D. Mathias ~~~~~~~~
No part of this document may be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written permission of the Author.
Created March 2001

An Outline for Learning
the Pt/Pd Process

The intent of this section is to provide orderly guidance for learning the Pt/Pd process. As prerequisite, it is assumed that the novice has experience and a full understanding of operating a camera, processing film, the Zone System, and general photography. The Pt/Pd process requires some basic skills in chemistry and photography and utilizes some expensive materials. There are many less time consuming and less expensive photographic processes one can pursue. One should not consider the Pt/Pd process without having the dedication and commitment it demands. If one wishes to try their hand at this process, it is recommended that they attend a workshop or obtain personal instruction from an experienced Pt/Pd printer. Only after a firm commitment is decided on should they purchase all the materials necessary. It is recommended that one NOT work from kits, pre-coated material, or other shortcuts as this will not provide the level of quality results nor the necessary experience.
The follow steps roughly outline a recommended sequence referenced to the various sections throughout this guide. It should be expected that one technique or activity may be dependent on others. One should not become surprised if after learning a particular technique, they find that they must modify it after learning something else. The information in this guide has been assembled over years and decades. As new discoveries are made, sometimes old procedures or techniques must be modified. A key to developing good technique and procedure is achieving consistency of results. Much of the effort into what may seem tedious study or careful control circumvents the many potential pitfalls and problems one is likely to encounter.
Throughout this guide a distinction has been made of several terms.
Process - is the set of procedures which utilizes certain materials under certain conditions and employs certain techniques to produce a certain result (such as the Pt/Pd process). One selects the process, but does not alter the process. Once a process is fully understood, one may develop sub-processes or variations of the process (such as DOP [Develop Out Process] and POP [Print Out Process]).
Procedure - relates to the steps or group of steps of a process. Procedure may be influenced by variations in conditions or technique, but procedure is independent of personal technique. One generally sticks with a procedure that works and only modifies it when study shows a necessity. Technique is modified to accommodate procedure.
Technique - relates to events dependent on the individual and their personal skills. One's technique may differ from another, but the final result should be the same. For example when weighing, the same weight should be concluded from whatever personal technique and equipment is used. One must determine and master their own techniques. Techniques may be borrowed and practiced, but are typically modified to personal desire. It is important that one carefully develop their techniques so as to be conducive with the greatest success. Consistency and accuracy are important qualities of technique.
Method - relates to a sub-procedure or set of procedure which can lead to similar process or sub-process results (examples are: single or multiple coating methods; digital or analog negative methods). One can choose from several known methods or develop their own. However like procedure, the development of methods requires a good understanding of the process.
Conditions - are those such as temperature, relative humidity, pressure, environment and such and can be placed into two categories.
Boundary conditions are limitations that the process should or must operate within. For example: a safe light must be used to prevent exposure of sensitized material to the threshold of illumination that can convert the sensitizer.
Ambient conditions are those present which may cause variation of the results and should be monitored and controlled if necessary. For example: the relative humidity may be varried within a range to influence color or other characteristics of the POP variety print.

The novice should be concerned with carefully following set procedures and methods, controlling conditions as required, and learning and developing their technique. It is recommended that the novice avoid attempting new variations and any modification of procedures or methods. After they fully understand and have mastered the techniques and the procedures of the Pt/Pd process, they are no longer a novice.
top of page
Links to Steps
(to be followed in the order presented)
Basic Information
Ready Equipment and
         Work Room
Ready Materials
Ready Stock Solutions
Study Coating
Learn the Process
Learn to Make Negative
        and Print
Photograph and Print
Further Study

Basic Information
To begin, one should first read Chapters 1 and 2.
Now is the time to make the decision and commitment whether to pursue learning the Pt/Pd process. The cost of acquiring the necessary equipment and materials can be significant. Again, if one wishes to sample the process, it is recommended that they attend a workshop or obtain personal instruction from an experienced Pt/Pd printer.
While any size negative may be printed by the Pt/Pd process, it is recommended that 4x5 be used when learning. This size is large enough to control and analyze well and small enough to save on chemistry. If one does use smaller negatives, they must keep in mind that coating efficiency and coverage and the coating itself can be more difficult. The use of a smaller brush for small coatings will help. If one only has larger negatives, they should consider learning and practicing with a 4x5 area.
top of page

Table of Contents

Ready Equipment and Work Room
Read Chapter 4.
Purchase any equipment and make any modifications to the workroom that may be necessary.
Start with the equipment suggested throughout Chapter 4. As personal technique is developed some equipment may be changed or added. If one plans to use the sun as a light source, the artificial light source need not be built. One should take the time to properly set up and equip their work space for the Pt/Pd process. Remember to avoid cross contamination, have proper ventilation and lighting, have proper chemical storage, adiquate ambient control, and enough space to work comfortably (including a coating area).
top of page

Table of Contents
Workroom Considerations
Vendors

Ready Materials
Read Chapter 5 (except Preparing FO Powder, this is advanced work).
Purchase any chemicals and paper necessary.
The following are recommended minimum starting materials and amounts:
distilled water [2 gallons]
Ferric Oxalate powder [25 grams]
Oxalic Acid [1 gram]
EDTA (60-00-4) [1 gram]
K2PtCl4 (platinum double salt) [10 grams]
PdCl2 (palladium salt) [10 grams]
NaCl, KCl, or LiCl (any one or all) [10 grams]
contrast agent (any one, see info) [1 gram] (optional)
Potassium Oxalate [500 grams]
H3PO4 (phosphoric acid, 85%, reagent grade) [1 litter]
Bienfang 360 paper [several pads](or Crane's Cover-90)
The quantities given are a minimum. Buying in larger quantities can be more cost effective and is a good idea if one is committed to continuing use of the Pt/Pd process. The quality of the chemicals is important. All chemicals listed here should be of ACS reagent grade, typically available from any ISO-certified manufacturer (except for the precious metal salts).   The metal salts should be purchased from a special manufacturer such as Engelhard Corporation. However, Engelhard has a minimum order necessitating the purchase of larger amounts. Smaller amounts may be available from several alternative photography suppliers, although the quality could be suspect.
Other papers may be used, although Bienfang 360 is a good paper to learn coating by brush and is readily availiable from most art supply stores. If a rod is used, Crane's Cover-90 will not have the wrinkle problem of Bienfang and is an excelent paper.
top of page

Table of Contents
Chemicals
Substrates
Vendors

Additional Information
         on metal salts
Additional Information
    on contrast agents

Ready Stock Solutions
Read Chapter 6.
Prepare stock solutions.
The weighing of materials for the sensitizer, metal salts, and optional contrast agent must be done accurately and consistently.
Weighing and measuring are the first techniques to master.
top of page

Table of Contents

Study Coating
Read Chapter 7.
Using some water with food coloring added, practice some coating. Follow the sections on coverage and efficiency, but at this point only use the colored water. Do not use the actual chemistry at this point.
This is the beginning of learning brushing or spreading technique.
top of page

Table of Contents
Coating Coverage
Coating Efficiency
Coating Paper

Learn the Process
Re-read Chapter 7.
Read Chapters 8, 9, and 14.
Mix a coating solution.
Coat a paper.
Expose using any negative (do not expect this to be a wonderful print).
Process.
Repeat until the basic process is understood (at this point concentrate on understanding the process, not making a wonderful print).
Determine coating coverage and efficiency (this is important).
Try some other negatives that may do better.
Coating technique and the procedure of the process should become familiar.
Now the novice is ready to begin.
top of page

Table of Contents

Learn to Make a Negative and Print
Read Chapter 3.
Do the exercise and study outlined in Chapter 3.
This will train the eye to read the negative and the print and relate them to each other and to the original scene. This will also provide the proper negative to use with the materials selected to make a Pt/Pd print suitable to one's preferences. This also provides experience with producing prints consistently.
Having a complete understanding of this exercise will provide a strong foundation for mastering the Pt/Pd process.
top of page

Table of Contents

Photograph and Print
Photograph, process negatives for the Pt/Pd process, and print.
Don't change anything or do anything differently. Just photograph and print.
This is the time to perfect technique and begin mastering the process.
Remember, the only modifications to be made at this point are in perfecting technique.
top of page

Further Study
Got some good prints? Now is the time for Chapters 10 and 11.
Chapters 12 and 13 offer information on negative building. One should realize that they should have a good understanding and command of the Pt/Pd process before building negatives for this process.
The studies in Chapter 15 or their inspiration may lead to advanced work and discovery of new variations in the process or refinement of procedures.
top of page

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

An Outline for Learning the Pt/Pd Process
The intent of this section is to provide orderly guidance for learning the Pt/Pd process. As prerequisite, it is assumed that the novice has experience and a full understanding of operating a camera, processing film, the Zone System, and general photography. The Pt/Pd process requires some basic skills in chemistry and photography and utilizes some expensive materials. There are many less time consuming and less expensive photographic processes one can pursue. One should not consider the Pt/Pd process without having the dedication and commitment it demands. If one wishes to try their hand at this process, it is recommended that they attend a workshop or obtain personal instruction from an experienced Pt/Pd printer. Only after a firm commitment is decided on should they purchase all the materials necessary. It is recommended that one NOT work from kits, pre-coated material, or other shortcuts as this will not provide the level of quality results nor the necessary experience. The follow steps roughly outline a recommended sequence referenced to the various sections throughout this guide. It should be expected that one technique or activity may be dependent on others. One should not become surprised if after learning a particular technique, they find that they must modify it after learning something else. The information in this guide has been assembled over years and decades. As new discoveries are made, sometimes old procedures or techniques must be modified. A key to developing good technique and procedure is achieving consistency of results. Much of the effort into what may seem tedious study or careful control circumvents the many potential pitfalls and problems one is likely to encounter. Throughout this guide a distinction has been made of several terms. Process - is the set of procedures which utilizes certain materials under certain conditions and employs certain techniques to produce a certain result (such as the Pt/Pd process). One selects the process, but does not alter the process. Once a process is fully understood, one may develop sub-processes or variations of the process (such as DOP [Develop Out Process] and POP [Print Out Process]). Procedure - relates to the steps or group of steps of a process. Procedure may be influenced by variations in conditions or technique, but procedure is independent of personal technique. One generally sticks with a procedure that works and only modifies it when study shows a necessity. Technique is modified to accommodate procedure. Technique - relates to events dependent on the individual and their personal skills. One's technique may differ from another, but the final result should be the same. For example when weighing, the same weight should be concluded from whatever personal technique and equipment is used. One must determine and master their own techniques. Techniques may be borrowed and practiced, but are typically modified to personal desire. It is important that one carefully develop their techniques so as to be conducive with the greatest success. Consistency and accuracy are important qualities of technique. Method - relates to a sub-procedure or set of procedure which can lead to similar process or sub-process results (examples are: single or multiple coating methods; digital or analog negative methods). One can choose from several known methods or develop their own. However like procedure, the development of methods requires a good understanding of the process. Conditions - are those such as temperature, relative humidity, pressure, environment and such and can be placed into two categories. Boundary conditions are limitations that the process should or must operate within. For example: a safe light must be used to prevent exposure of sensitized material to the threshold of illumination that can convert the sensitizer. Ambient conditions are those present which may cause variation of the results and should be monitored and controlled if necessary. For example: the relative humidity may be varried within a range to influence color or other characteristics of the POP variety print. The novice should be concerned with carefully following set procedures and methods, controlling conditions as required, and learning and developing their technique. It is recommended that the novice avoid attempting new variations and any modification of procedures or methods. After they fully understand and have mastered the techniques and the procedures of the Pt/Pd process, they are no longer a novice. top of page	Links to Steps (to be followed in the order presented) Basic Information Ready Equipment and Work Room Ready Materials Ready Stock Solutions Study Coating Learn the Process Learn to Make Negative and Print Photograph and Print Further Study
Basic Information To begin, one should first read Chapters 1 and 2. Now is the time to make the decision and commitment whether to pursue learning the Pt/Pd process. The cost of acquiring the necessary equipment and materials can be significant. Again, if one wishes to sample the process, it is recommended that they attend a workshop or obtain personal instruction from an experienced Pt/Pd printer. While any size negative may be printed by the Pt/Pd process, it is recommended that 4x5 be used when learning. This size is large enough to control and analyze well and small enough to save on chemistry. If one does use smaller negatives, they must keep in mind that coating efficiency and coverage and the coating itself can be more difficult. The use of a smaller brush for small coatings will help. If one only has larger negatives, they should consider learning and practicing with a 4x5 area. top of page	Table of Contents
Ready Equipment and Work Room Read Chapter 4. Purchase any equipment and make any modifications to the workroom that may be necessary. Start with the equipment suggested throughout Chapter 4. As personal technique is developed some equipment may be changed or added. If one plans to use the sun as a light source, the artificial light source need not be built. One should take the time to properly set up and equip their work space for the Pt/Pd process. Remember to avoid cross contamination, have proper ventilation and lighting, have proper chemical storage, adiquate ambient control, and enough space to work comfortably (including a coating area). top of page	Table of Contents Workroom Considerations Vendors
Ready Materials Read Chapter 5 (except Preparing FO Powder, this is advanced work). Purchase any chemicals and paper necessary. The following are recommended minimum starting materials and amounts: distilled water [2 gallons] Ferric Oxalate powder [25 grams] Oxalic Acid [1 gram] EDTA (60-00-4) [1 gram] K2PtCl4 (platinum double salt) [10 grams] PdCl2 (palladium salt) [10 grams] NaCl, KCl, or LiCl (any one or all) [10 grams] contrast agent (any one, see info) [1 gram] (optional) Potassium Oxalate [500 grams] H3PO4 (phosphoric acid, 85%, reagent grade) [1 litter] Bienfang 360 paper [several pads](or Crane's Cover-90) The quantities given are a minimum. Buying in larger quantities can be more cost effective and is a good idea if one is committed to continuing use of the Pt/Pd process. The quality of the chemicals is important. All chemicals listed here should be of ACS reagent grade, typically available from any ISO-certified manufacturer (except for the precious metal salts). The metal salts should be purchased from a special manufacturer such as Engelhard Corporation. However, Engelhard has a minimum order necessitating the purchase of larger amounts. Smaller amounts may be available from several alternative photography suppliers, although the quality could be suspect. Other papers may be used, although Bienfang 360 is a good paper to learn coating by brush and is readily availiable from most art supply stores. If a rod is used, Crane's Cover-90 will not have the wrinkle problem of Bienfang and is an excelent paper. top of page	Table of Contents Chemicals Substrates Vendors Additional Information on metal salts Additional Information on contrast agents
Ready Stock Solutions Read Chapter 6. Prepare stock solutions. The weighing of materials for the sensitizer, metal salts, and optional contrast agent must be done accurately and consistently. Weighing and measuring are the first techniques to master. top of page	Table of Contents
Study Coating Read Chapter 7. Using some water with food coloring added, practice some coating. Follow the sections on coverage and efficiency, but at this point only use the colored water. Do not use the actual chemistry at this point. This is the beginning of learning brushing or spreading technique. top of page	Table of Contents Coating Coverage Coating Efficiency Coating Paper
Learn the Process Re-read Chapter 7. Read Chapters 8, 9, and 14. Mix a coating solution. Coat a paper. Expose using any negative (do not expect this to be a wonderful print). Process. Repeat until the basic process is understood (at this point concentrate on understanding the process, not making a wonderful print). Determine coating coverage and efficiency (this is important). Try some other negatives that may do better. Coating technique and the procedure of the process should become familiar. Now the novice is ready to begin. top of page	Table of Contents
Learn to Make a Negative and Print Read Chapter 3. Do the exercise and study outlined in Chapter 3. This will train the eye to read the negative and the print and relate them to each other and to the original scene. This will also provide the proper negative to use with the materials selected to make a Pt/Pd print suitable to one's preferences. This also provides experience with producing prints consistently. Having a complete understanding of this exercise will provide a strong foundation for mastering the Pt/Pd process. top of page	Table of Contents
Photograph and Print Photograph, process negatives for the Pt/Pd process, and print. Don't change anything or do anything differently. Just photograph and print. This is the time to perfect technique and begin mastering the process. Remember, the only modifications to be made at this point are in perfecting technique. top of page
Further Study Got some good prints? Now is the time for Chapters 10 and 11. Chapters 12 and 13 offer information on negative building. One should realize that they should have a good understanding and command of the Pt/Pd process before building negatives for this process. The studies in Chapter 15 or their inspiration may lead to advanced work and discovery of new variations in the process or refinement of procedures. top of page	Table of Contents
Table of Contents