Learning More About Photography
Photography is the art and process of creating still life pictures by recording radiation on a sensitive medium. This is photographic film, or electronic imaging sensors that can capture the picture. Light is usually used instead of radiation in most cases of photography. When the light is reflected from the objects that are being captured, the objects form a real image on a light sensitive film or plate inside the camera using a timed exposure. This image can then be developed into a visual image for many purposes.
History of Photography
Photography was initially invented in the 19th century. It created a whole new way to capture images instead of using paintings and sculptures. The usable process of photography dates back to the 1820's however when chemical photography was thought of. The first photoetching was produced in 1822 by Nicephore Niepce. He and Louis Daguerre invented a new way to take pictures quicker using silver and chalk. The first ever photo taken of a person was taken in 1839 with the new invention. Negative images were created in 1840 by a man named Talbot; his print is the oldest known negative in existence to this day. The blueprint was developed by John Herschel in 1819 by the use of silver halides. His discovery allowed pictures to be permanent, and made the first glass negative in 1839.
The wet plate collodion process of photography was used widely between 1852 and the late 1860's before the dry plate was introduced. It involved a positive image on glass, positive image on metal, and then the negative that was printed on salt paper. Advancements in photography continued to expand throughout the 19th century. The plates were replaced with film which is used today in 1884. Colors were introduced in 1908 by Gabriel Lippmann who won the Nobel Laureate in Physics for this creation.
Uses of Photography
A lot of people gained interest in photography for many reasons since it has been introduced. One of the biggest uses was for scientists to record and study movements in space, animals, and humans. Artists also gained interest in photography because they like to capture reality, and also turn reality into fantasy by distorting the images that they take creating art from these images for display. The military also uses photography for surveillance and date storage. Everyday people use photography to capture special moments in life, and to preserve those times in the pictures as well as a source for entertainment.
Production of Photography
Amateur production of photography is when photography is done in a not for profit way, and as a hobby. A person who is an amateur might have the skills of a professional, but do not want to turn their photographs into a professional type of work. Commercial production of photography is when the photographer is paid for their photography and used for a number of different things. Some of these things include advertising, fashion, crime scene photography, still life, museums, food, editorial, photojournalism, wedding photography and other professional portraits, landscape, paparazzi, and also wildlife photography. They are then produced in different outlets such as magazines and newspapers. The photographers are usually paid for their work.
Photography has since been a long time hobby and fun activity for people all over the world. There is a deep history involved with photography, many purposes for photography, and a general love of photography all over the world. Photography might not be for everyone, but it is a hobby or job for some. Whether the photographer wants to use their images for themselves or for a profit, photography is something that helps the world go around to this day.
Selasa, 31 Oktober 2017
Kamis, 12 Oktober 2017
5 Simple Digital Photography Tips That Makes the Best Out of Your Photos
If you enjoy photography but are new at it then the best way to become good at it is by gathering as much information and tips as you can, then applying what you learn. Like most other things, practice makes perfect. Digital photography is wonderful but in some cases, it makes us a bit lazy. Meaning that we may not put as much emphasis on taking a good picture because we know we have editing tools to enhance it. If one is serious about photography though they should consider putting a good effort into the shot, and taking a good picture and making it better with editing techniques.
To begin with, almost everyone knows that you have to have a steady hand to get that great shot. Unfortunately, not too many of us have that ability to hold the camera perfectly still. This is where a tripod or beanbag is necessary. Many people hate the thought of carting a tripod everywhere they go on their photography shoot. To make this a little easier take a picture without the tripod then take the same picture again. You will be convinced at the need for one.
It is wonderful when you have several hours ahead of you where you have nothing to do but take pictures. You gather all your equipment and arrive at the perfect location. You begin by taking a series of pictures, and then something seems to be wrong. You discover your memory card is full and you do not have your laptop with you to download. Do yourself a favor get at least one high capacity memory card.
Give some thought to using a UV filter. They are very inexpensive but they sure can be worth their weight in gold when it comes to protecting the expensive stuff. The filter fits on your camera lens and acts as protector from scratches and dust. This includes keeping the fingerprints at bay as well. The UV filter has the ability to filter out the UV rays, which really helps with the true colors in your pictures. The UV filter is just a small round piece of glass and you simply screw into onto the end of your lens.
Do not be afraid to experiment especially with the white balance setting on your digital as these effects the various tones of your images. You will see a setting called cloudy and often people feel this is restricted to dull days only. This is not factual. Often pictures that are too stark in color lack any warmth to them. This is where the cloudy setting can really come in handy. If you think about it the best time to use this would be at sunrise or sunset.
Do not be afraid to be carried away. Keep shooting that same shot several times. You are bound to get a couple of good quality pictures to work with from doing it this way. A fraction of a second can make all the difference in a picture.
To begin with, almost everyone knows that you have to have a steady hand to get that great shot. Unfortunately, not too many of us have that ability to hold the camera perfectly still. This is where a tripod or beanbag is necessary. Many people hate the thought of carting a tripod everywhere they go on their photography shoot. To make this a little easier take a picture without the tripod then take the same picture again. You will be convinced at the need for one.
It is wonderful when you have several hours ahead of you where you have nothing to do but take pictures. You gather all your equipment and arrive at the perfect location. You begin by taking a series of pictures, and then something seems to be wrong. You discover your memory card is full and you do not have your laptop with you to download. Do yourself a favor get at least one high capacity memory card.
Give some thought to using a UV filter. They are very inexpensive but they sure can be worth their weight in gold when it comes to protecting the expensive stuff. The filter fits on your camera lens and acts as protector from scratches and dust. This includes keeping the fingerprints at bay as well. The UV filter has the ability to filter out the UV rays, which really helps with the true colors in your pictures. The UV filter is just a small round piece of glass and you simply screw into onto the end of your lens.
Do not be afraid to experiment especially with the white balance setting on your digital as these effects the various tones of your images. You will see a setting called cloudy and often people feel this is restricted to dull days only. This is not factual. Often pictures that are too stark in color lack any warmth to them. This is where the cloudy setting can really come in handy. If you think about it the best time to use this would be at sunrise or sunset.
Do not be afraid to be carried away. Keep shooting that same shot several times. You are bound to get a couple of good quality pictures to work with from doing it this way. A fraction of a second can make all the difference in a picture.
Minggu, 24 September 2017
Development of Photography and the Truth Behind Digital Photography
Photography is the art of drawing with the medium of light. In today's photography scene, a lot of advances have made photography a hobby and a profession for many. If we take a look back at the beginnings of photography, one will be amazed by how many progressions it did. Before the flashy 10 frames per second feature of digital SLRs today, there came a time that bringing a camera for a photo shoot is already an effort because of its size. But during that time, it has been shown that even with a bulky camera, it could suffice the requirement of producing art. Hansel Adams proved his point by creating the images of the wild west. With the right adjustment of shutter speed to a very minute f stop 32, he produced magnificent photographs of varying subjects.
Then, camera manufacturers turned to their engineering department to make the cameras a little bit more handy than the usual. Then, though still loaded with film, specifically the medium format film more known as the 120 films; TLRs made its way to the market in order to provide people with photographs with a handy frame. But the dilemma with 120 films is that they create good portraits and photographs for that matter but if we come to think of it, 120 formats only come with 12 or 16 shots, something that displeases camera enthusiasts. Then came the 35mm format film cameras in order to solve the problem of lacking in shots. A roll of 135 film can be bought with a 12, 24 or 36 shot option. First came the rangefinders. Rangefinders unlike the SLR, functions without a mirror that simultaneously lifts to let light register to the film. A rangefinder directly focuses on an object via a double image provided in the eyepiece. Then came the SLR. SLR camera is more user friendly compared to its predecessor, the rangefinder. An SLR makes it possible for someone to create images in the easiest way there is.
Today, everything has turned digital. Who would have thought that making photographs nowadays is actually as good as painting. Today, with the entry of digital SLRs, they make it a point that the post processing phase do the job in ironing out the lack in skill of a photographer. It is a fact that film based photography could make way better photographs made by digital photographers. A film could be bloated to whichever size a photographer wants it to be. Unlike digital format where boundaries of pixels prevent its expansion; film doesn't experience this kind of problem. With the entry of digital photography, it makes photography not an art anymore but a gauge to how good a software could be in blurring lack of skill and talent.
Then, camera manufacturers turned to their engineering department to make the cameras a little bit more handy than the usual. Then, though still loaded with film, specifically the medium format film more known as the 120 films; TLRs made its way to the market in order to provide people with photographs with a handy frame. But the dilemma with 120 films is that they create good portraits and photographs for that matter but if we come to think of it, 120 formats only come with 12 or 16 shots, something that displeases camera enthusiasts. Then came the 35mm format film cameras in order to solve the problem of lacking in shots. A roll of 135 film can be bought with a 12, 24 or 36 shot option. First came the rangefinders. Rangefinders unlike the SLR, functions without a mirror that simultaneously lifts to let light register to the film. A rangefinder directly focuses on an object via a double image provided in the eyepiece. Then came the SLR. SLR camera is more user friendly compared to its predecessor, the rangefinder. An SLR makes it possible for someone to create images in the easiest way there is.
Today, everything has turned digital. Who would have thought that making photographs nowadays is actually as good as painting. Today, with the entry of digital SLRs, they make it a point that the post processing phase do the job in ironing out the lack in skill of a photographer. It is a fact that film based photography could make way better photographs made by digital photographers. A film could be bloated to whichever size a photographer wants it to be. Unlike digital format where boundaries of pixels prevent its expansion; film doesn't experience this kind of problem. With the entry of digital photography, it makes photography not an art anymore but a gauge to how good a software could be in blurring lack of skill and talent.
Selasa, 05 September 2017
The Three T's That Guide Digital Photography Into the Hands of Picture Lovers
Although anyone can pick up a camera and start snapping, the art of photography isn't as simple as aim and shoot. To pull off properly, digital photography does require some skill. Although some people say you can just edit pictures later, many people don't realize how much work editing is. New technology is constantly changing the way people can take great pictures, and it makes it easier and more fun. Of course, you do need to know how to use certain tools in order to achieve a great photograph.
When it comes to mastering digital photography, you need think about the three T's: Talent, time and treasure. Although it might seem a bit corny, the three T's really do make a lot of sense when you break them down.
So, let's get down to it...
1. Talent. Of course, it always helps to inherit a little talent to be great at taking amazing pictures. You need to have a keen eye for subjects that make a picture-perfect photograph. You can be mediocre at digital photography and still have fun, but be aware that the digital photography field is highly competitive.
Proper training can go a long way to enhance your experience with digital photography. And, with proper training, your friends and family can enjoy your great looking pictures as well.
2. Time. And, to become at least decent at digital photography, don't expect to become great overnight. Take time to learn techniques and tricks, since it takes time to hone your skills. Nothing replaces experience in the field, but techniques can certainly help along the way. Using the right tools for the job, combined with knowledge, leads to an enjoyable photography experience.
Professional digital photographers will tell you how important it is to get the proper education. With all the digital photography schools out there, getting an education proves to be a worthwhile endeavor.
3. Treasure. If you want to get involved with digital photography, be prepared to invest in the right tools. This means that you need to invest what seems like a small treasure to get started and to upgrade your gear. Although you can sometimes find great deals, more often than not, the better equipment is going to require some serious capital.
Once you've invested a few hundred dollars into your hobby, you'll find that there's no turning back. And although it may seem like a lot, the right tools go a long way to make your photos really pop.
Remember that anything worthwhile usually isn't cheap and digital photography is no exception. Don't be afraid to invest quite a bit into your new found hobby, and invest in your photo taking future.
Learning doesn't always mean that you have to have a ton of knowledge of a subject. You'll most likely learn the most from applying the things you learn and consistently trying to improve your pictures. Who knows, maybe your pictures will be so good that you'll decide to become a freelance photographer or even sell your pictures for some nice royalties.
When it comes to mastering digital photography, you need think about the three T's: Talent, time and treasure. Although it might seem a bit corny, the three T's really do make a lot of sense when you break them down.
So, let's get down to it...
1. Talent. Of course, it always helps to inherit a little talent to be great at taking amazing pictures. You need to have a keen eye for subjects that make a picture-perfect photograph. You can be mediocre at digital photography and still have fun, but be aware that the digital photography field is highly competitive.
Proper training can go a long way to enhance your experience with digital photography. And, with proper training, your friends and family can enjoy your great looking pictures as well.
2. Time. And, to become at least decent at digital photography, don't expect to become great overnight. Take time to learn techniques and tricks, since it takes time to hone your skills. Nothing replaces experience in the field, but techniques can certainly help along the way. Using the right tools for the job, combined with knowledge, leads to an enjoyable photography experience.
Professional digital photographers will tell you how important it is to get the proper education. With all the digital photography schools out there, getting an education proves to be a worthwhile endeavor.
3. Treasure. If you want to get involved with digital photography, be prepared to invest in the right tools. This means that you need to invest what seems like a small treasure to get started and to upgrade your gear. Although you can sometimes find great deals, more often than not, the better equipment is going to require some serious capital.
Once you've invested a few hundred dollars into your hobby, you'll find that there's no turning back. And although it may seem like a lot, the right tools go a long way to make your photos really pop.
Remember that anything worthwhile usually isn't cheap and digital photography is no exception. Don't be afraid to invest quite a bit into your new found hobby, and invest in your photo taking future.
Learning doesn't always mean that you have to have a ton of knowledge of a subject. You'll most likely learn the most from applying the things you learn and consistently trying to improve your pictures. Who knows, maybe your pictures will be so good that you'll decide to become a freelance photographer or even sell your pictures for some nice royalties.
Sabtu, 26 Agustus 2017
How to Start a Photography Business - Learn in 5 Easy Steps
Starting a photography business is a titillating prospect. Imagine doing something that you have come to love as a hobby, and having people pay you to do it! Shall we discover then, how to start a photography business together? Let's look at the following five steps and start you on your road to a successful business. We will look at your knowledge, the categories of picture-taking, the business side of things, different processing styles, and finally, touch on the marketing of your business.
In any business one needs at least a rudimentary knowledge of what one is doing. For a photography business you will need far more than that. If you have been dabbling in photography as a hobby for a while, you will have learned something. Now comes the time for some serious research. Begin to look online for articles, forums, and photo galleries. At least double the amount of photo shoots you do in a week. You will need to acquire more than an average amount of knowledge and skill to succeed in the photography business.
In the business of photography there are two basic categories: assignment photography, and stock photography. In the assignment category, as a professional photographer, you will generally be approached by a client to commission a photo. Whether that be a landscape, portrait, pet picture or an album full of wedding photos, you will, as a rule, be paid on completion of the project.
The Stock side of the business is much more speculative. You will need a large file, or repertoire, of pictures for your clients to choose from. All the different genres of the photographic art should be represented in your sizable stock of high-end photographs. You can build this large file with some of your commissioned works, by using the best of your shots while learning your art, and by going out and shooting during any downtime between assignments.
Now, we must delve into the business end of this adventure. To begin with, a business outline needs to be drawn up. This will include monetary needs, possible investors, where the business will run from, a logo for your company, and any copyright notices. You may also wish to set some short-term goals by which to measure the success of the business. Then it will be necessary to go to the county clerk (or equivalent) to look into rules and regulations, and also any zoning restrictions at your chosen facility.
A bank account will need to be opened under the business name to keep it separate from your personal finances. Also you will want to look into liability insurance for any subjects that you may be photographing. The equipment that you amassed from your hobby days should be sufficient, but if more is needed, it can always be rented until you are successful enough to purchase it.
These days you have a choice of medium to work with. For years there was only film, enlargers, photographic paper, and lots of chemicals to deal with. Today there is the wonderful world of digital photography. Digital will be the media that will be most desirable for your business, as it is low in cost and easily manipulated on your computer. Adobe Photoshop, and Kodak EasyShare are two of the best programs found online to adjust and finalize your photos.
A far as marketing is concerned, the internet is your best tool. If your business outline allows for it, hire someone to build a website for you. Otherwise, you can research, and learn to build your own if you are so inclined. Make sure it includes a gallery of your best photos, that they are easily accessible, your products and services, and also all of your contact numbers. You may also want to turn to your community, and network places like the local Chamber of Commerce, Lions, or Rotary clubs (and the like), and any photographic associations that can be found.
In any business one needs at least a rudimentary knowledge of what one is doing. For a photography business you will need far more than that. If you have been dabbling in photography as a hobby for a while, you will have learned something. Now comes the time for some serious research. Begin to look online for articles, forums, and photo galleries. At least double the amount of photo shoots you do in a week. You will need to acquire more than an average amount of knowledge and skill to succeed in the photography business.
In the business of photography there are two basic categories: assignment photography, and stock photography. In the assignment category, as a professional photographer, you will generally be approached by a client to commission a photo. Whether that be a landscape, portrait, pet picture or an album full of wedding photos, you will, as a rule, be paid on completion of the project.
The Stock side of the business is much more speculative. You will need a large file, or repertoire, of pictures for your clients to choose from. All the different genres of the photographic art should be represented in your sizable stock of high-end photographs. You can build this large file with some of your commissioned works, by using the best of your shots while learning your art, and by going out and shooting during any downtime between assignments.
Now, we must delve into the business end of this adventure. To begin with, a business outline needs to be drawn up. This will include monetary needs, possible investors, where the business will run from, a logo for your company, and any copyright notices. You may also wish to set some short-term goals by which to measure the success of the business. Then it will be necessary to go to the county clerk (or equivalent) to look into rules and regulations, and also any zoning restrictions at your chosen facility.
A bank account will need to be opened under the business name to keep it separate from your personal finances. Also you will want to look into liability insurance for any subjects that you may be photographing. The equipment that you amassed from your hobby days should be sufficient, but if more is needed, it can always be rented until you are successful enough to purchase it.
These days you have a choice of medium to work with. For years there was only film, enlargers, photographic paper, and lots of chemicals to deal with. Today there is the wonderful world of digital photography. Digital will be the media that will be most desirable for your business, as it is low in cost and easily manipulated on your computer. Adobe Photoshop, and Kodak EasyShare are two of the best programs found online to adjust and finalize your photos.
A far as marketing is concerned, the internet is your best tool. If your business outline allows for it, hire someone to build a website for you. Otherwise, you can research, and learn to build your own if you are so inclined. Make sure it includes a gallery of your best photos, that they are easily accessible, your products and services, and also all of your contact numbers. You may also want to turn to your community, and network places like the local Chamber of Commerce, Lions, or Rotary clubs (and the like), and any photographic associations that can be found.
Kamis, 10 Agustus 2017
Learning Digital Photography - Photographing Kids
If you're anything like me you love photographing everything around you. But taking pictures of our kids is extremely important. You want to capture all of the memories of them growing up, so you can cherish them forever. But to do this in a way that is natural and professional looking can be tricky. Often because kids move around so fast the photos can be a bit blurry or out of focus. Or perhaps you just can't catch them in the moment you'd like.
If you want to take great photos of your kids, there are specific techniques to help make a "snap shot" seem more like a professional photograph. Kids love to be kids and sometimes cameras can make a child act goofy or un-natural. A great approach is to put your child in a natural and fun environment that you can photograph them while they are at play and not posing for you. These photos always look more natural!
A great natural environment is a park or playground. What child wouldn't love this? They can play and you can move around at a distance and capture them at play. Laughing and smiling!
This natural outdoor environment is also great because you don't need to use a flash. Flash photography is one of the first things that can make a photograph look just like any other snap shot. Try your best to use it as little as possible. Your pictures will look more natural without it. Also don't be afraid to use your zoom! Fill your camera viewfinder with your child, who needs to see lots of unimportant stuff behind or around them? Another cool hint, is to convert your photo into B&W. This is a great way to make the photo seem timeless!
Photography can be a very technical art form or hobby, but if you learn some basic information from this informative site you can use your camera with more confidence allowing you to take great photographs of your kids.
You don't need to be disappointed with blurry or boring snapshot pictures. You just need to learn some of the basic and easy techniques to get the most out of your camera. Find out right now how to take better more professional photographs of your children, so you'll have captured memories forever.
If you want to take great photos of your kids, there are specific techniques to help make a "snap shot" seem more like a professional photograph. Kids love to be kids and sometimes cameras can make a child act goofy or un-natural. A great approach is to put your child in a natural and fun environment that you can photograph them while they are at play and not posing for you. These photos always look more natural!
A great natural environment is a park or playground. What child wouldn't love this? They can play and you can move around at a distance and capture them at play. Laughing and smiling!
This natural outdoor environment is also great because you don't need to use a flash. Flash photography is one of the first things that can make a photograph look just like any other snap shot. Try your best to use it as little as possible. Your pictures will look more natural without it. Also don't be afraid to use your zoom! Fill your camera viewfinder with your child, who needs to see lots of unimportant stuff behind or around them? Another cool hint, is to convert your photo into B&W. This is a great way to make the photo seem timeless!
Photography can be a very technical art form or hobby, but if you learn some basic information from this informative site you can use your camera with more confidence allowing you to take great photographs of your kids.
You don't need to be disappointed with blurry or boring snapshot pictures. You just need to learn some of the basic and easy techniques to get the most out of your camera. Find out right now how to take better more professional photographs of your children, so you'll have captured memories forever.
Minggu, 23 Juli 2017
Fine Art Printmaking in Platinum As a Photographic Business
Many talented photographers and artists struggle when the moment comes to switch from a serious hobby to a professional activity capable of actually making a living. Especially in photography there are so many possibilities that one can pursue, such as portraiture, commercial, architectural, stock photography and so on. The one I chose was to pursue a career in fine art photography. This is probably not the way to become rich, but it does offer plenty of gratification. Having people looking at your work and willing to spend money to have it on their walls is an extraordinary accomplishment.
The problem is that especially in this digital age, where everyone has an ink-jet printer on their desk, it is difficult to become easily recognizable. It is also important to give collectors and arts lovers a reason to purchase our work. One way to solve this problem is to employ traditional techniques rather than digital. Although this article applies to any alternative process, the best and most noble among these is without any doubt platinum. Platinum and palladium prints show exquisite beauty, the longest permanence of any printing process, and are widely collected. People know that a platinum print is expensive to make and are willing to spend more to get them.
Unfortunately, unless you are an already collected artist, it is unlikely that you will be able to sell your platinum/palladium prints at a high or even fair price. Many emerging photographers try to get their work out as much as possible, with low cost sales and frequent exhibitions, in the hope to receive attention. Because of the high costs of platinum printmaking this is something to keep into proper consideration. So one of the most important issue dealing with an expensive process is keeping your costs to a minimum, to produce some profit even when you have to sell at a low price. Mastering the process is not complicated, it is a long curve more than a steep one. To succeed though, you need much practice, and consequently sales to pay for your labor and above all, materials.
Frequent low price sales will allow you to practice more and thus be able to obtain a level of consistency that will allow you to make as little mistakes as possible in order to keep your costs low. The low cost will allow low price sales and so on. Do not get stuck in this magic circle though. Higher price sales will eventually follow as you master the technique and become better known.
The first most important aspect is, of course, quality. Platinum prints should always be made to gallery standards and flawless. When you present a platinotype keep in mind that viewers expect excellence. You must therefore be professional and consistent in every step of the process, from taking the photograph, to printing it, to spotting, mounting and presenting and even packaging and shipping.
Printing for high volumes also means that you must find a consistent way to make your prints, and nowadays this is easy to get, thanks to the digital negatives. We need to save time as well as money, therefore test prints and guesswork should be avoided. The digital negative allows us to do this.
Printing for low cost sales means selling an 8x10" print mounted to museum standards in the $50-$100 price region. Editioning your work, like I do, is one good way to sell at a price higher than that. I normally use a three-price tier system with increasing prices as the edition sells. Of course, the low price scenario applies mostly to generic photography, such as landscapes. If you do something more specific, such as nudes, or portraiture, you should be able to sell at a higher price from the very start.
I mentioned the cost of the noble metals. For many printers, a generically called platinum print is often an almost pure palladium print. It is not only because of the much lower cost. Compared with platinum, palladium offers many advantages. It is easier to use, gives better coating, smoother tones, a longer tonal scale, deeper blacks and a fantastic color. Especially if you are starting with the process, I would recommend printing in pure palladium.
It is also true that, since most printmakers use NA2 (Sodium Chloroplatinate) for contrast (albeit in very low percentages), technically we can not say that pd prints are pure palladium. In time, your portfolio will probably contain 100% pd prints, 50/50 pt-pd prints and different mixes within these quantities. So how would you describe your work? I have seen prints with the quantities noted in pencil on a border (sometimes including exposure time and contrast), but, since I dislike giving out too much technical information, I present all my prints, including those in pure palladium, with the generic term platinum prints. Many others I know do the same without feeling like cheating. Even if you plan to go for palladium only though, I would recommend, however, to keep a small bottle of platinum, for not always the greater warmth of pure palladium is desired.
The second expensive item in the process is obviously the paper. It is possible to use many papers - sometimes even the humble watercolor paper that one can find at the local art shop. In fact, most papers for water colorists will work if you soak them for five minutes in a weak solution of oxalic acid (and then wash it of course). I would, however, definitely NOT recommend saving money on paper. The paper that I use is Crane's natural, called Crane's Platinotype in USA (until 2006, now, I believe, is called Crane's Diploma Parchment) and Crane's Crest Natural White Wove in Europe (at least in England, from gfsmith.com). This fine paper is relatively easy to find, it is smooth and easy to coat, needs less solution than some other papers (saving us money), and it is not terribly expensive. It is available in natural, my favourite - and white.
Of course, the paper is indeed a personal choice. For example many suppliers recommend Crane's Kid Finish to beginners. To me this paper looks too thin, more difficult to use, does not flat well and I would not recommend it. I, however, heartily suggest being familiar with at least a second paper, should the paper of choice be (or suddenly become) unavailable. I recommend Arches Platine, which costs slightly more than Crane's, but it is heavier, easier to find, it is also beautiful and easy to work with (no acidification required etc.). The only difference with Crane's (except maybe 20% more exposure) is that it does not clear in citric acid, so you need to keep a little a stock of Kodak Clearing Agent as well. What about fancy papers, such as the expensive Japanese Gampi for example. Printing on hand made papers can be rewarding both aesthetically and financially (my sales skyrocketed for a while when I presented old work on Gampi) but I would recommend leaving any possible further difficulties when you will be experienced.
Once you will master the technique, and be able to keep your costs under control, you will be free to dedicate yourself completely to the actual printmaking, and will be able to offer to your customers, galleries and collectors exceptional and unique prints.
The problem is that especially in this digital age, where everyone has an ink-jet printer on their desk, it is difficult to become easily recognizable. It is also important to give collectors and arts lovers a reason to purchase our work. One way to solve this problem is to employ traditional techniques rather than digital. Although this article applies to any alternative process, the best and most noble among these is without any doubt platinum. Platinum and palladium prints show exquisite beauty, the longest permanence of any printing process, and are widely collected. People know that a platinum print is expensive to make and are willing to spend more to get them.
Unfortunately, unless you are an already collected artist, it is unlikely that you will be able to sell your platinum/palladium prints at a high or even fair price. Many emerging photographers try to get their work out as much as possible, with low cost sales and frequent exhibitions, in the hope to receive attention. Because of the high costs of platinum printmaking this is something to keep into proper consideration. So one of the most important issue dealing with an expensive process is keeping your costs to a minimum, to produce some profit even when you have to sell at a low price. Mastering the process is not complicated, it is a long curve more than a steep one. To succeed though, you need much practice, and consequently sales to pay for your labor and above all, materials.
Frequent low price sales will allow you to practice more and thus be able to obtain a level of consistency that will allow you to make as little mistakes as possible in order to keep your costs low. The low cost will allow low price sales and so on. Do not get stuck in this magic circle though. Higher price sales will eventually follow as you master the technique and become better known.
The first most important aspect is, of course, quality. Platinum prints should always be made to gallery standards and flawless. When you present a platinotype keep in mind that viewers expect excellence. You must therefore be professional and consistent in every step of the process, from taking the photograph, to printing it, to spotting, mounting and presenting and even packaging and shipping.
Printing for high volumes also means that you must find a consistent way to make your prints, and nowadays this is easy to get, thanks to the digital negatives. We need to save time as well as money, therefore test prints and guesswork should be avoided. The digital negative allows us to do this.
Printing for low cost sales means selling an 8x10" print mounted to museum standards in the $50-$100 price region. Editioning your work, like I do, is one good way to sell at a price higher than that. I normally use a three-price tier system with increasing prices as the edition sells. Of course, the low price scenario applies mostly to generic photography, such as landscapes. If you do something more specific, such as nudes, or portraiture, you should be able to sell at a higher price from the very start.
I mentioned the cost of the noble metals. For many printers, a generically called platinum print is often an almost pure palladium print. It is not only because of the much lower cost. Compared with platinum, palladium offers many advantages. It is easier to use, gives better coating, smoother tones, a longer tonal scale, deeper blacks and a fantastic color. Especially if you are starting with the process, I would recommend printing in pure palladium.
It is also true that, since most printmakers use NA2 (Sodium Chloroplatinate) for contrast (albeit in very low percentages), technically we can not say that pd prints are pure palladium. In time, your portfolio will probably contain 100% pd prints, 50/50 pt-pd prints and different mixes within these quantities. So how would you describe your work? I have seen prints with the quantities noted in pencil on a border (sometimes including exposure time and contrast), but, since I dislike giving out too much technical information, I present all my prints, including those in pure palladium, with the generic term platinum prints. Many others I know do the same without feeling like cheating. Even if you plan to go for palladium only though, I would recommend, however, to keep a small bottle of platinum, for not always the greater warmth of pure palladium is desired.
The second expensive item in the process is obviously the paper. It is possible to use many papers - sometimes even the humble watercolor paper that one can find at the local art shop. In fact, most papers for water colorists will work if you soak them for five minutes in a weak solution of oxalic acid (and then wash it of course). I would, however, definitely NOT recommend saving money on paper. The paper that I use is Crane's natural, called Crane's Platinotype in USA (until 2006, now, I believe, is called Crane's Diploma Parchment) and Crane's Crest Natural White Wove in Europe (at least in England, from gfsmith.com). This fine paper is relatively easy to find, it is smooth and easy to coat, needs less solution than some other papers (saving us money), and it is not terribly expensive. It is available in natural, my favourite - and white.
Of course, the paper is indeed a personal choice. For example many suppliers recommend Crane's Kid Finish to beginners. To me this paper looks too thin, more difficult to use, does not flat well and I would not recommend it. I, however, heartily suggest being familiar with at least a second paper, should the paper of choice be (or suddenly become) unavailable. I recommend Arches Platine, which costs slightly more than Crane's, but it is heavier, easier to find, it is also beautiful and easy to work with (no acidification required etc.). The only difference with Crane's (except maybe 20% more exposure) is that it does not clear in citric acid, so you need to keep a little a stock of Kodak Clearing Agent as well. What about fancy papers, such as the expensive Japanese Gampi for example. Printing on hand made papers can be rewarding both aesthetically and financially (my sales skyrocketed for a while when I presented old work on Gampi) but I would recommend leaving any possible further difficulties when you will be experienced.
Once you will master the technique, and be able to keep your costs under control, you will be free to dedicate yourself completely to the actual printmaking, and will be able to offer to your customers, galleries and collectors exceptional and unique prints.
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