After leaving a previous occupation to attend and graduate from OCAD (Ontario College of Art and Design) several decades ago, I became a printmaker. The photography part of my work was so engrossing, I eventually became a photographer. The whole nine yards - good cameras, studio equipment, membership in Gallery 44 Centre for Contemporary Photography, Toronto.

Today, I work with digital and film with emphasis on black and white. Not wanting to fall into silos, I tend toward toward landscape and still life but am not fixated.

I have always realized the value of good training from experts. For platinum printing, I turned to sessions by Gerald Pisarzowski given at Gallery 44. Gerry shares my preferences for film cameras and black and white images. He has been making hand-coated platinum prints of his own images and for others for more than 30 years.

I’ve been studying platinum printing for about a year now. I love the medium and process even though it can be challenging. And I continue to turn to Gerry for help when needed.

Just to be clear, I refer to ‘platinum printing’ but I work with mixtures of platinum and its sister heavy metal, palladium, as do most alternative printers. I search for emulsions that will give my prints the desired warmth and colour.

Every photographer knows there is a myriad of options for equipment and materials. Platinum printing is no exception and its needs are likely more exacting than for most other media.

Sandi Ralph Photography

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