I will be working with the 24x24 this season, will get it out of its box. Need to play with camera and figure things out. Find a tripod that works, and lens. Are portraits possible with the ring flash and new mobile flash units?
Flowing and developing plates promises to be difficult! I have made a mess of it in the past. More silver, storing large glass? Larger trays, etc!! Lots to learn and be done.
Step by step lets get this done.
Finally got some decent 11x14 and 14x14 Ambrotype portraits done.
Pigeon Lake!! First time here since childhood. Kinda shitty camping space, last of 2 available Too open for my taste, with too many screaming kids.
Will spend the day on Sunday making Ambrotypes, not sure of what. Maybe some portrait attempts tomorrow. I brought the new-used flash gear to play with.
When in doubt buy more photo gear. Total cost $240 CAD. A super cheap, sweet deal! Will try using the gear to make Ambortype portraits.
One of the great things about Facebook is the exchanging of knowledge. One of the main groups I belong to “Collodion Bastards” has been a great learning source for me. After 7 years in the process I also try to teach what I have learned about the process to help others.
This is from a post yesterday about the use of honey.
I love the international membership in the group!!
There was a water problem in the darkroom trailer yesterday.
I had an issue with water from the tank spilling onto the floor instead of going through the faucet. Water was draining out the trailers man door creating a huge mess in the trailer.
I had to stop using the faucet and change over to a water tank to stop development of the plates. The sewage tank was still working.
It’s always good to have backup systems for everything!
I will need to repair the sink.
I had the A/C going most of the day in the darkroom trailer. I went through 1 1/2 of the 2 Jackery batteries. I could not get the temp down below 27.2 C even with constant closing of the man door.
The A/C did help as I was able to place my hot sweaty face into the cool air. It did help lower the overall in the trailer buy probably 3-4C but I still had some heat related artifacts on some plates. It was not as bad as years past but the were still there.
Maybe I can place the collodion and decay in front of the A/C blowing cool air. That might help. I am not sure how to cool the silver any.
I am unsure what will happy on the really hot days.
Just woke up the next morning after my Coliseum shoot, I feel sore all over. Arms feet, back!! Lots of work involved in making ULF plates.
Trying to figure out ways to spread the work around. I will hook up the trailer to the truck the night before not on the same day as the picture making from now on. Am 62, need more rest time.
Was at Northland's Coliseum last night making Ambrotypes. It was a tough, hot day and I only did variations on 1 set up. I was trying to tell the story in a more visual way. The building ain't the most exciting structure ever invented! I tried to add some interest in the composition by shooting the subject from the abandoned back side. I might return to take a more traditional shot.
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| Yesterday |
Will try to photograph the old Edmonton Northland's Coliseum tomorrow on Ambrotype, possibly a second time later in the week. It is scheduled for demolition. So many great Edmonton memories here.
Am scouting shooting locations today on my scooter. Also hunted down and spoke to their security dispatch people, left my card. I think it should be OK to shoot from the parking lot.
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| Different viewpoints of the Coliseum |
My favourite plate from Elk Island National Park. Shot on Thursday last week.
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All my systems and techniques for making up to 14x14 inch Ambrotypes seem to be in place! After about 7 years of effort, things are becoming clear to me and even easy. I will still have to learn more to go larger but 14x14 inches and smaller is now no big deal.
Techniques and systems.
- vinegar developer
- Gerry collodion
- flowing plates
- developing plates
- making homemade frames for plates
- fixing plates
- drying plates
- washing plates
- varnishing plates
- making plates archival
- transporting plates before and after
- cutting glass
- loading holders (taped backs for 4mm and 3mm at 14x14)]
- lens
- cameras
- darkroom trailer
- tripod system
- power supplies
- water supplies
- pumping out waste water
- adding fresh water
- sources for all chemicals
- honey for long term temp storage of plates before wash
- safe lights
- how to pack trailer safely
- coolers for most important chemicals, both big and small
- silver maintenance in the field
- scooter transport for far off shooting locations
- darkroom tent for remote shooting
- trays
- raised trays for storage
- plate storage cases
- plate separation sheets
- honey protection
- long term storage of plates
- AND MANY MORE!
Went to Elk Island today (Thursday June 25) to make Ambrotypes. I arrived a bit late 215pm and started shooting at 315pm. I made pics till about 7pm.
Broke the first 2 plates but it went well after that.
Note* I used the AC for the first time but it only ran for 2 hours 20 minutes. It dropped the temp in the trailer from the 27s Celsius to the 24s Celsius. It did not seem like much but it helped quite a bit. The short Jackery timeline is an issue. I have 2 units of the same size but tff gd at only gets me to 5 hours or so and then both batteries are dry.
Note** I also used honey u for the first time in the field. It worked well but I think I need to make more mixed in the bottle before pouring, then do a better job spreading it on the plates to avoid drying.
Note*** It was nice to make up for the lost opportunities at Gull Lake (rained out), and to make some real Ambrotypes after so long away from the process!
Added a new tool to the rv-darkroom trailer driving combo. A wifi-solar backup camera. Not sure how I lived without it the last 5 years. A must have type thing. Backing up becomes way easier. You have the peace of mind that you’re not going to hit anyone or anything!
The 7 inch monitor sits in the dash hooked up to 12v cigarette lighter, with a on/off button. The camera is 47 feet back on the bottom of the trailer. The camera is held on with a magnet, the wifi signal works well, even over 47 feet!
Driving became easier and backing up way easier!!
