Printout Evaluation

DOP printout POP printout

The action of light in the platinum palladium process actually develops the material, resulting in metals becoming deposited into the fibers of paper or fabric.  The material is said to "print out".  The printout is an actual image directly related to the materials used, the photographed image, the exposure, and the ambient conditions.  Once one learns to interpret the printout, exposures and the need to burn areas may be evaluated and corrected, but only by the addition of more exposure.

     Note: The printout should only be checked with safelight illumination.
                Although a short view with a 100W incandescent lamp at 5 feet should be fine.

     Note: The printout on fabric may be studied, but no additional exposure should be
                given because registration with the negative cannot be maintained.

The Pt/Pd process can be divided into two sub processes.  A Developing Out Process (DOP) which uses the sensitizer Ferric Oxalate produces a partial printout with the full image emerging after development.  A Printing Out Process (POP) which uses the sensitizer Ammonium Ferric Oxalate produces a full printout which looks close to the final print.

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DOP Printout:
In evaluating the printout, it must be remembered that the printout will differ for various papers and chemicals.  It is helpful to have part of the coating completely masked from exposure so that it may be used as a reference.  In general, not much can be seen of Zones VIII and above in the printout.  The surplus coating around the negative receiving maximum exposure can be useful in judging the darkest areas in the print.

Learning to evaluate the printout is like learning to read the densities in the negative and in the print (see Sensitometry section).  Much experience is the only way to master this evaluation technique.  With experience comes a feeling for what the print will look like and what will happen and if more exposure is applied.

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POP Printout:
This printout is very useful in that it is very close to what the final print will look like.  However, one must take into account that a layer of chemistry is also seen which will subsequently be cleared from the print.

Another factor is that since the printout is much more full, more self masking is achieved making the effects more pronounced than those of the DOP.  This could result in a lower contrast or in longer exposure times.

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