~~~~~~~~ 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 1987, updated April 2001

Normalization with The Matrix

Now that one has a Matrix, what if they change equipment, film type, processing, or printing materials?  Easy, if one has a Matrix.  For any change or combination of changes, do the following:
 
  • Select a subject typical of one's work in which Zones I & VIII are represented in large areas.

    • Note: It may help to place some large panels of uniform value into the scene.
     
  • Carefully visualize how the print should look, and take notes.

    • Note: This is a very important step.
     
  • Expose and develop and print for "normal" as determined by the Matrix.

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  • Compare this print with the Matrix.

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  • Find the Zone I that matches along the exposure axis.

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  • Find the Zone VIII that matches along the development axis.

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  • Calculate the adjustments need to bring this test to "normal".

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    Example: If Zone I matches the Matrix at "normal" plus half a stop
                     and Zone VIII matches the Matrix at "normal" minus half a stop,
                     then, to compensate for the change of equipment, film, printing, or whatever,
                     decrease the exposure by half a stop
                     and increase the development by +1/2.
     

  • To verify, re-photograph the subject with the corrected exposure and development times.

    •  

     

    Zones I and VIII should now match the "normal" of the Matrix.

    This procedure is really handy whenever a new paper is used with the Pt/Pd process.  All the previous work of making the matrix is preserved and can be utilized.
     

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