Platinotypi

Platinotypi, or platinum printing, is a photographic printing process that uses precious metal salts to produce an image on paper. The image is formed when a negative is placed in contact with a sheet coated with platinum (and often palladium) salts bound in gelatin. After exposure to light, a chemical development step precipitates metallic platinum in the exposed areas, creating a durable, monochrome print with a wide tonal range. The resulting image is typically characterized by subtle gradations and a soft, luminous quality.

History and context: The platinotype process emerged in the 19th century and gained prominence as a fine-art printing method due to its permanence and tonal control. It remained popular among photographers through the late 1800s and into the early 20th century, before gelatin silver prints became dominant. The term is sometimes used to describe prints made with platinum salts alone or in combination with palladium, the latter variant often called platinum-palladium printing. The process is valued for its archival stability; properly made prints can resist fading for many centuries.

Process overview: In practice, a sheet of paper is coated with a light-sensitive mixture containing platinum (and sometimes palladium) salts in gelatin. After drying in darkness, the paper is placed in contact with a negative and exposed to ultraviolet light. development uses a reducing agent to precipitate metallic platinum in the image areas, followed by fixing and thorough washing. The choice of paper, coating formulation, and exposure conditions all influence the final tonal balance, typically yielding warm to neutral whites and rich, nuanced blacks.

Modern use: Today platinotypi is kept alive as a niche, fine-art practice. It is valued for its aesthetic, archival stability, and the hands-on craft involved, and is taught in some art schools and workshop settings alongside related platinum-palladium methods.