Statement:

Working with black & white film has always been a primary medium for me, not only for the permanence, but mainly for the aesthetics. Using cameras made long ago I force myself to slow down, to not only see the subject that I am about to photograph, but to feel it inside my head. By pre-visualizing the image in tones of gray, by using light and composition, the simple click of the shutter, produces a piece of film that will yield a final print that stops the viewer with a sensational “WOW.”

On Making Platinum/Palladium Prints:
The process of making platinum/palladium prints is time consuming and labor intensive. It all starts with a negative of the same size as the finished print you wish to make. The paper chosen for the final image is also a very select grade of high quality art paper that is properly sized to accept the sensitized metals. The solution is mixed by counting drops of ferric oxalate, sensitizer, potassium chloroplatinite, and palladium. The solution is applied by brush, painting the paper with the metals mixture and then is allowed to dry for several minutes, which will turn a yellow color. The negative is then contact printed using ultra-violet light. The exposure time will range from a few minutes to an hour or more depending on negative deensity. After exposure, potassium oxalate is poured over the paper, which develops instantly. The print is then cleared in three separate baths of citric acid and finally washed of all chemicals. The print is then air dried and mounted on archival mat board for all to see and enjoy.

Dennis Stierer
dennis.stierer@verizon.net
http://web.mac.com/dennisstierer