FAQ’S: THE BROOKOVER PRINTING STANDARD
What is the value of the Brookover standard of printing?
David's deep appreciation and respect for traditional handmade papers from the U.S., Japan, France and Germany combined with world-class printing is the very foundation of our particular style. Our platinum palladium, silver gelatin, photogravure and bromoil prints are coveted by fine art collectors due to their proven archival history, look and presence. The Brookover Gallery believes in photographic origins firmly planted in the fine art realm. Our distinctive prints are then hinge or dry mounted, showcased in hand-wrapped linen silk mats and framed in some of the finest moldings available.
What is a Platinum Palladium print?
Platinum Palladium prints are considered to be the most archival of all photographic processes. The platinum group commonly referred to as noble metals are the most stable of all printing methods. It is estimated that a platinum image, properly made, can last over 1500 years. Our platinum palladium images are printed on handmade papers some of which have origins dating back to 2000 years. The tactile feel and fibrous content of these papers along with the suspension of the platinum / palladium solution renders an image that appears "in" rather than "on" the surface of the substrate. Although very difficult to print, the platinum palladium offers what is often described as having the greatest tonal range when compared to all other printing methods. We are honored to have one of the largest displays of platinum palladium prints in the U.S.
What is a Silver Gelatin (aka) Gelatin Silver print?
Adams, Weston, Karsh, Ruth Bernhard to name just a few, this is one of the better known of the processes we use, and rightly so. In our humble opinion, there is not a black and white digital process that comes close to the look of this traditional, hands-on printing method. Rich in history, photographers and collectors have been drawn to Silver Gelatin prints for decades. To see a silver gelatin properly lit on a wall is a gift in itself, the luminance, luminosity and sheer elegance has made it a favorite for decades.
What is a Photogravure Print?
Arguably the most beautiful, challenging, and labor-intensive of the traditional photographic processes, photogravure printmaking is among the earliest, dating back to the mid-1800s. Best noted in the work of Edward S. Curtis through his epic anthropological study "The North American Indian", which he editioned from 1907-1930, the photogravure quickly gave way to more affordable silver-gelatin printing popularized by Eastman Kodak's Brownie camera. Prior to Kodak, artists, the church, and businesses primarily turned to printmakers who used presses to render quality images for distribution. Photogravure has come out of the long tradition of intaglio printmaking whereby artisan printmakers, working in conjunction with artists, would create an image by carving, engraving, or etching (with resists and acid) into a metal substrate, wiping oil-based ink into the grooves or pits created, and then running it through a printing press onto dampened paper.
While there are traditional printmakers still employing copper plates to make photogravures, most have moved on to use steel-backed polymer plates due to the quality, consistency, efficiency, and the more environmentally friendly nature of that approach. Polymer plates are both photosensitive and water-soluble, allowing the image to be etched into the plate using water instead of acid. More information athttp://intaglioeditions.com.
Regardless of the technology used to create a quality plate, the true artistry and craftsmanship comes through in how the plate is printed. The type of inks and modifiers employed, the method of wiping, the level of care taken, the choice of paper, the amount of pressure given at the press, and method of drying and flattening the final print are only a few of the many variables that come together to create a high-quality, hand-printed, photogravure print.
We look forward to introducing more Photogravures as they lend themselves very well to David`sparticular style and choice of optics.
How is the image captured?
David records his film images on an 8x10 Linhof or Ebony view camera.
He uses Nikon, Pentax and Fuji systems for digital capture.
How is the film scanned?
The selected film is then drum scanned using the finest scanners and technicians in the country. Under David's personal direction, these digital translations are transformed creating master files that will recreate the images in the manner that he visualized when the film was originally exposed. The images are then meticulously refined and tested to make sure that the final image is exactly what was envisioned. Prints made from these files, under very tightly controlled color managed work environments, will reproduce the images precisely each and every time, with greater accuracy than they could ever be reproduced with traditional printing techniques. All materials used for printing are archival by industry standards. It is important to note that the quality of the final prints far exceeds what you are able to see on your monitor. If you have been to the gallery and seen these incredible prints displayed, you will understand exactly what we mean.
How are the images produced?
Our traditional prints i.e. Platinum/Palladium, Silver Gelatin, Photogravure and Bromoil are done by various printers located throughout the U.S. For more information see our Partners Section.
Production of the color images, from processing the original film, drum scanning, testing, and some color printing is done at Photo Craft Imaging in Boulder, Colorado. Photo Craft uses the most accurate and advanced technologies, equipment and the professional expertise to produce these stunning images.
What are the sizes of the images?
All of the editions are limited.