Last Updated on 09/01/2018 by Mark Beckenbach
All photos by Dennis Ramos. Used with Creative Commons permission.
These days, not a lot of photographers delve into creating platinum palladium prints anymore. For one, the process is quite complex and takes considerably longer for anyone who’s used to getting instant results with their digital cameras. Another factor is that the chemicals used are tricky to handle and not easily acquired; you couldn’t just walk into any camera store and find them.
But creating platinum palladium prints can be satisfying and rewarding. It lets you slow down and concentrate on the process itself. In the end, you get your own handmade prints that, with proper care and storage, can last a lifetime. It’s unfortunate that such works are now few and far between.
Which is why when we stumble upon prints created using this practically obsolete printmaking process, we sit up and take notice. Today, we put the spotlight on award-winning, fine art photographer Dennis Ramos’ latest work; a series of stunning architecture and landscape images.
You may remember Dennis for his surreal black and white architecture photos, which we have previously featured here and here. In his latest series, he simply created negatives of some of his existing work and let them take on a new form as platinum palladium prints. To do this he used chemicals, a UV exposure light box, and cotton paper.
In one of our previous interviews, Dennis shared that the otherworldly look of his photographs is due to his use of long exposure, ND filter, minimal compositions, and monochrome conversions. By turning them into platinum palladium prints, the surreal vibe of his work is boosted even further.
With the sharpness and contrast that can only be achieved with this printmaking method, and devoid of people and other telling details of when exactly they were taken, his photos now look almost as if they are from an earlier time, too.
Swing by Dennis Ramos’ website or Behance portfolio to see more of his work.