The number of platinum and other “alternative” printers, as well as large format photographers, is growing every day. Each has his or her own reason for deviating from the mainstream of photography, but ultimately, they all come back to a desire to realize their vision in a way they couldn’t using contemporary techniques. For some, it’s the allure of the hands-on experience of and additional control gained by coating their own choice of papers or fussing with a view camers’s many settings. For others, it’s recreating the look and feel and methods of work of their historic predecessors. Still others embrace the difference just because it’s different.
The following are some of today’s exemplary altermative printers, large format photographers, and alt/LF resources that have inspired and/or helped me along with the process. Unlike our mentors, who worked pretty much in a vacuum, we have the benefit of the Internet spread our knowlege and inspire others in ways never before possible.
Dick Arentz
Large format photographer and platinum printer, who taught me (through his wonderful books) the finer points of platinum printing.
Dan Burkholder
The expert on making “digital” negatives.
Jan Kapoor
An alternative printer who does beautiful work with pinhole and large format cameras.
Tony McClean
A multi-talented alternative printer.
Kerik Kouklis
Another printer skilled in various alternative media.
Stephen Livick
A gum bichromate printer noted for his beautiful murals.
Katharine Thayer
The gum bichromate printer who inspired me to branch out from platinum.
Hamish Stewart
Another talented and innovative gum printer.
Kate Mahoney
An alternative printer with a wide range of beautifully expressive talents.
Christopher Lovenguth
A self-taught Daguerreotypist (Daguerreotyper?).
Philippe Berger
Yet another multi-talented alternative printer.
Terry King
Artist and instructor in various alternative processes.
Susan Huber
Large format photographer and P.O.P printer.
Contemporary Daguerreotypes
A clearinghouse for photographers practicing the ancient art of the Daguerreotype.
Center for Alternative and Historic Processes
Just what its name says.
Post-Factory Photography
The journal/encyclopedia of alternative process work.
AlternativePhotography.com
A Website devoted to all things alternative.
Unblinking Eye
Another Website covering alternative photography (as if we could ever have enough of them).
View Camera Magazine
View camera photography from historic to futuristic.
LensWork Publishing
A journal of all sorts of wonderful photography and photographers.
Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day
Nothing is more primal than making a photograph with just a pinhole for a lens.
The Alternative Photographic Process FAQ
A little of everything about alternative photography.
The Traveling Portfolios
The traveling portfolio of alternative prints.
Mike Ware Alternative Photography
Mister Alternative Photography.
The Daguerreian Society
The art, history and practice of the daguerreotype.
PhotoLinks - The Photography Network
Photographers and photography-related sites everywhere.