Introduction to the Plate Camera Platinum Palladium Process
An unparalleled luminosity
The work of a portrait artist is to reveal as deeply as possible the essence of a particular human being as well as reflecting the life they have lived. Like making a picture of a landscape or a flower, the use of composition and light are essential skills. But to reveal more than a snapshot of a person's life involves taking time with the subject in their own environment. My subjects, who are usually in their seventies or eighties, always have remarkable stories to tell and remarkable passions too. When our conversation turns to their true interests, their faces and bearing are illuminated with a glint or sparkle in the eye and a quietly assured pose.
This is why I prefer to use a large format plate-camera, because it captures this sparkle and self assurance very well. It takes time to set it up and to use it, so the result is a measured study of the person rather than just a fleeting expression.
I always use natural daylight, as this draws out the feeling of the subject's own surroundings, and helps reveal the quiet and often intense energy of the subjects themselves.
To fully reveal this style of portrait photography requires the very special platinum-palladium technique, perfected in the 1870's, complex and expensive, but which yields an unparalleled luminosity and depth of tone when printed on watercolour paper.
Please note that the examples on this site illustrate my style of composition and lighting, but give only a touch of the sense of presence and depth of the full size portrait.