The platinum print has been called the most beautiful photographic process. It has a naturally warm color and a greater tonal separation in the midtones and highlights. Platinum prints are also ironically the most expensive of the alternative printing techniques. Other chemicals needed are a developer and a clearing bath. Palladium may be used without the addition of the high-priced platinum, but platinum prevents the palladium from solarizing in the deep shadows.
Platinum also increases contrast slightly.
This control is very limited, and too much 2 can increase the grain of the image. Exposure time will vary from a few minutes to 30 in bright sunlight. The image will come up immediately, but gently rock the tray for 1 or 2 minutes to ensure image density. Each developer will have an effect on image color. Clearing may take up to twenty minutes and an intermediate water bath may speed up the process.