Alternative Process, A brief look. 

The recent resurgence of alternative processes within the fine art photography realm, such as cyanotypes, Van Dyke browns, platinum/palladium prints, gum bichromates, daguerreotypes and wet collodions, have brought upon a new and exciting direction to our medium. Not only these alternative processes allow the digital photographer to easily switch back from the digital world into the analog realm with digital negatives produced on a simple inkjet, seamlessly and with the application of the hand into their visual outcomes, using UV contact printing for some of these processes, but also using many simple chemical kits and online information that are now available to those wishing to venture into these processes. Some of these processes, such as the wet collodion or tintypes remain in the dangerous aspect of these alternative methods, yet the artistic outcomes and value with collectors remains high in terms of perceived value. Several suppliers of such methods can be found at the photographic formulary website: http://stores.photoformulary.com, my favorite: https://www.bostick-sullivan.com/ or http://www.freestylephoto.biz/

With these newer possibilities it is now up to the photographic artist to decide on the methodology for presentation purposes, according to their conceptual approach as it applies to their viewers and ultimate outcomes. We are indeed fortunate to be able to delve into these alternative processes, from analog or digital precepts, and therefore must be open to these possibilities for a fine art outcome. A great overall resource of information can be found at: http://www.alternativephotography.com/wp/processes

Pierre Dutertre, Platinum/Palladium print from a digital negative, 14”x14” on Arches Platine media, 2013 Click image for available print Pierre Dutertre, Van Dyke brown print from a digital negative, 12”x12” on Arches media, 2012 Click image for available print Pierre Dutertre, Platinum/Palladium print from a digital negative, 14”x14” on Arches Platine media, 2013 Click image for available print Cathy Dutertre, Cyanotype print form a digital negative, 14”x14” on Cansonmedia, 2014

Are you interested in obtaining a one of a kind similar to those represented above? Please contact UPA Gallery at inquiry@upagallery.com  or access our contact page.

By: Pierre Dutertre | Artist, Educator, Photographer.