It’s been 4 months since I poured a plate – this weekend the wife is away and I got to play!
5×7 Al plate
Quinn’s QC
Sawyer’s Developer
KCN
5″ Goerz Dagor, f/6.3 at 18 seconds wide open
5×7 Al plate
Quinn’s QC
Sawyer’s Developer
KCN
5″ Goerz Dagor, f/6.3 at 2 seconds wide open
Tim Scott approached me to assist him photograph the Azusa Pacific University Theater Arts’ troupe to help promote their performance of Oscar Wilde’s “An Ideal Husband”. It was a wonderful experience seeing the dedication of these actors.
The play is set around 1895, the backdrop is a house built in the same period, the costumes worn by the actors were original period pieces, and wet plate collodion photography was at it’s peak.
What could go wrong? Well, the weather. Outside temperatures during the shoot was over 90 degrees F and our chemicals were no longer cooperating when it was well over 110 in the dark tent. Sublime images were disappearing before our eyes no matter how hard we try to temper the heat. We were discontent knowing that plates were turning black. At any rate, we captured a few worthwhile images.
Plate by Scottphoto.co
Tim needed to verify his Fatfish tent, chemistry and new wet plate back for his Deardorff before our photo shoot next week; so we decided to head out to Riverside, CA and shoot The Mission Inn.
I think he has nothing to worry about.
Photo by Tim Scott
The video (avi) The Mission Inn
5×7 Black Aluminum
10″ A.T. Thompson Petzval
12 seconds, wide open
OWH
“Market Pantry” Vinegar Developer
KCN
Here’s this year’s submission to World Wet Plate Day – a close up of the rosette.
I’m really intrigued by my Copper Wheel (Aeonium Sunburst) especially how it renders in collodion.
5×7 Black Aluminum
Nickel Plated Darlot Petzval (~7″, ~f/5)
24 seconds, wide open
OWH
“Market Pantry” Vinegar Developer
KCN
Made an albumen print from a negative glass plate taken in the early 1900′s of a little girl wearing a white bonnet. Impressive plate – background separation from the little girl is quite good. I’m curious as to how they can get good light; perhaps those flash powder put out a lot of UV. The mottled background is due to plate deterioration exacerbated by my poor coating method.
The wife thinks it’s eerie, I think she watches too much “Haunted Collector”. So far I find it fascinating to get a glass negative that’s over 100 years old, print it the way it would have been printed back then and still get this detail today.
First BGA and I really like the deeper black on these. The weight of the plate gives a substantial feel to it compared to tins. Unfortunately, these guys cost 4 times more than clear glass.
I’m starting to get “iodide holes” – I guess it’s time for silver maintenance.
4×6 BGA
E.H. Hardy Petzval (~9″, f/3.5)
4 seconds, wide open
OWH
“Market Pantry” Vinegar Developer
KCN
5×7 CGA
A.T. Thomson Petzval (~9″, ~f/5)
2.5 seconds, wide open
OWH
“Market Pantry” Vinegar Developer
KCN
I acquired an Improved Empire State Camera by Rochester Optical with a 5″ Dagor from Dan yesterday and what beauty – many thanks Dan.
My Korona has been out of commission (perhaps de-commissioned) after a fall from JT and as luck would have it, Dan provided me with a replacement for field wet plate. Poured a plate today, slipped a 5×7 holder and set up my favorite succulent; here’s what it gave me.
5×7 CGA
5″ Goerz Dagor, f/6.3
20seconds, wide open
OWH
“Market Pantry” Vinegar Developer
KCN
JT Juniper 5x7 Ambro
5×7 CGA
J.H. Dallmeyer No.1a Rectilinear
35 seconds, f/45
OWH
“Market Pantry” Vinegar Developer
KCN
The clouds were amazing after the storm passed at JT that brought snow, rain, and gusty winds. Sadly, this is the last image my 1922 Korona 5×7 will make – at least until I can repair the damage from the fall due to a gust of wind. It’s not a high value camera but my grandfather was in his teens when it was made and it broke on my watch. Surprisingly, the lens had no damage.
9.5″ f/4.5 Aldis No.19
5×7 CGA
1.25 minutes, wide open
OWH
“Market Pantry” Vinegar Developer
KCN
I mixed “Market Pantry” Vinegar Developer and tried it out today. Developed this ambrotype for about 30 seconds and it actually worked.
6″ f/~5 No Name Petzval Magic Lantern
4×5 CGA
6 seconds, wide open
OWH
“Market Pantry” Vinegar Developer
KCN
