Scott R. Squires Photography

Platinum/Palladium Prints

The platinum/palladium printing process was invented by William Willis in the 1870's and patented commercially in 1879. By the turn of the century platinum prints were very popular, valued for their beauty and their intrinsic permanence. Platinum and palladium are two of the most inert elements (noble metals) in existence which contributes to the archival stability of platinum/palladium prints. With the onset of World War I, platinum family metals were hard to come by in the US and platinum papers had to be imported from Europe. By 1941, commercially produced platinum papers were no longer available. Contemporary print makers who desire the unique and beautiful qualities of this process create their own printing paper by mixing the light-sensitive chemicals and coating paper by hand. Many print makers thrive by working this way, gaining both technical control and personal satisfaction from this hand-made approach to photographic print making. The process involves mixing small quantities of a sensitizer solution (ferric oxalate) with solutions containing the platinum and/or palladium metals. This mixture is then applied to fine rag paper or other media, using either a brush or a glass rod which evenly spreads the solution across the paper. The platinum mixture is only sensitive to ultraviolet light and is therefore a contact printing process (the negative must be the same size as the desired print). The platinum and palladium becomes embedded within the fibers of the paper which results in an image that is as permanent as the paper itself. The prints below were scanned b&w. The prints have a slight sepia tone which is normal for platinum/palladium prints.

2022 The schedule for Art Galleries and Art Festival displays will be updated as soon as they are comfirmed.

Scott's Bio

In 1997 I purchased the Toyo 45AII 4x5 camera above after shooting 35mm and medium format for 25 years. With a large format camera you have a camera that does nothing but act as a darkroom for a sheet of film. The Photographer must go under a dark cloth and look at the image on the ground glass at the back of the camera. The image you see is backwards and upside down. The camera has movements that allow the image to be brought into focus. The lenses must be set manually for aperture and shutter speed. You also have to use a hand held light meter to figure out the correct exposure. In the end a photograph in a digital camera takes seconds. In a large format camera it can take 15 minutes to get ready to take your first photograph.
I still shoot film and I will continue to do so as long as film is available. I do my own b&w film developing, printing, matting and framing.
In 2017 I decided I wanted to learn a new printing process so I went back in time to the late 1800’s to learn how to print with Platinum/Palladium. The process of mixing the Platinum, Palladium and Ferric Oxolate solutions together, pouring them on 100% rag paper and brushing the solution over the area covered by the negative to make a contact print. Then exposed to UV light for a specific time. It was eye opening and very exciting to see such a beautiful image appear on the paper when the developer was poured over the print. Each print is handmade and an original. No two prints are ever the same. This website will be dedicated to the Platinum/Palladium printing process.

Buying Prints & Contact Information

You can contact me if you are interested in purchasing a print and for pricing information. My Platinum Palladium prints can be printed in sizes from 6x8 to 14x17.. Options are buying just the print or an 8 ply matted print ready to frame. These two option make it easier and safer to ship my prints E-mail - ssqu@aol.com Phone 949-243-6320 I do get a lot of junk phone calls so if I do not answer my phone please leave me a message and I will return your call as soon as possible.