Another Tent

Bought another tent. Thought about this one a long time but got a good price of $315 CAD (free shipping) so went for it. Other prices online often went $400 plus. I hope the quality of this unit is OK as it is a copy cat of the Clam version tents. The Clam version thou goes for $600 CAD plus.

Hope to use it to dry plates, cover cameras in light rain/wind and maybe to set up wash tables inside (for more onsite privacy). The tent will also prevent all the leaves and debris from falling into the trays onto the sensitive soft collodion. Never realized what a problem that was until I started to do place plates in trays outside.

Hope this was not a buying mistake. Money is always so limited; you want to spend it wisely. My thinking in general is that if it helps the production of the work, if it makes it safer, better, cleaner, then I go for it. Will use this tent in the coming season for the 20x24 work. It should be like a 3-5 minute set-up on location.

Brand:

VEVOR

Features:

Waterproof,

Item Height:

12 ft/ 3.66 m

Item Length:

12 ft/ 3.66 m

Item Weight:

35 lbs / 16 kg

Item Width:

12 ft/ 3.66 m

Camping Gazebo Tent

Maximum Coverage:

8 people

Max. Height:

90" / 2.29 m

Width for every side:

71" / 1.8 m

Transport Cases For 20x24 Photo Gear

One of the problems when you’re travelling across a rugged country like Canada, is getting everything to your shooting location undamaged. The long term AMBROTOS KANATA wet plate ambrotype project will require thousands upon thousands of miles of travel.

This is my 20x24 camera gear protection set up.  Everything bought on the cheap second hand, to save dollars. The tripod case is designed for golf clubs on an airplane.

I still need to figure out the wet plate plate holder. How do I protect a 20x24 inch holder? Maybe la hard shell suitcase. Any ideas?

Goodwill golf airplane bag used as a tripod bag.

20x24 camera hard case and lens Penguin case.

20x24 Linhoff tripod, wheels and Luland head.

Fragile 20x24 wet plate holder

Probably the main camera for the AMBROTOS KANATA project.

Drying Tent

Picked up a drying tent for the 20x24 plates. The idea is to set up this tent on location beside the darkroom trailer then add the light weight plastic shelving. I should be able to dry 5 plates at a time both after washing and after varnishing. 

The tent cost $109 CAD with free shipping. If this works I can purchase a second tent if needed. I can place one or 2 shelves in the space. I will need an alternate shelf system for the larger 35x35 future plate work. 

Will test this all out this coming shooting season. I need to be able to create Ambrotypes to completion in the field. Being in far off and remote regions of Canada will be difficult. Creating important work along the way and seeing that work will inspire me to keep going and work all the harder.

We’re going to make some beautiful, unique and wonderful things!!!

Update: Returning this tent for aa full refund, It its difficult to set up and was not NEW as promised. I will rely on the second and bigger fast set up tent I bought after this one.

Video Podcasts?

Podcasts? AMBROTOS KANATA YouTube channel? I am thinking of doing up a little video/audio recording studio at the front of the darkroom trailer. The goal would be to create content documenting the project, telling stories about the making of the ambrotypes and the journeys through out Canada.  I think I have all the required gear, just need to organize it and set it up. 

A pic of the space:

Season 3 Working Out My Systems

The trailer is a bit better, a bit more organized and clean. More work to do. No liquids loaded yet as we still have freezing temps in Edmonton.

Getting all the gear in will be a tight tight fit, especially with the coming HF3535 camera (150lb view camera, 35x35 inches). 

For now I am trying to figure out how to carry all the 20x24 canera gear and needed wet plate darkroom tools. I want to make 20x24 inch ambrotypes this season.

My 20x24  silver tank fits into the left sink so that’s good. In the sink I will have less chance of knocking over and spilling a thousand (?) dollars of silver.  I think there is enough overhead clearance to work the tank.

Still trying to figure how I can produce these ultra large plates to completion in the field. I need to be able to make, wash, dry, varnish and safety store 20x24 inch and 35x35 inch ambrotypes to completion in the farthest, remotest parts of Canada. I need to develop a system I can work through my 60s into my early 70s. Not too difficult right? 🙂

Over the last 2 seasons I I have mostly solved the the power, agitation and water problems . Still need to figure out how to dry the ultra large plates both after the wash and after the varnish. The trailer will not be large enough. I am thinking of some kind of drying tent rooms with shelving for the 20x24 and 35x35 inch Ambros. A tent would help protect from outdoor debris, insects, rain etc.

New Tires For The Darkroom Trailer

I have decided after last years motor home blowout to get all new tires on the trailer. So this year when I start towing the trailer with the RV Fanny, I will take her to the tire shop to get that done. It will be expensive but that is also a important safety need. I plan on hauling this thing all over Canada. I need to do it as safely as possible. No more blowouts!

Another Wet Plate Darkroom Trailer Bu

You need all kinds of strange things to make a wet plate darkroom work. Today I bought replacement batteries for my goodwill second hand Dewalt drill. One of the purposes for this drill will be to run a pump for my sewage. My knew super large sewage tank is too big and heavy to transport in and out of the trailer when full. I think it runs over 200 lbs when filled with liquid. So I need to use a pump and garden hoes to drain the tank. These batteries will allow that pumping work in the field. 

Cost $52 CAD. The batteries were $7 cheaper with a longer delivery time, so I went that way. Am always trying to save money where I can.

Day #1 Season 3, AMBROTOS KANATA, Darkroom Trailer Cleaning

Day #1 of a new creative season.

The wet plate darkroom trailer is coming back to life!!! Hope to shoot 20x24 ambrotypes this year. That size plate might be the norm for the project AMBROTOS KANATA. First thou let’s get the trailer cleaned up, loaded up, set up and ready for the road.

I used like 5 pails of water, to wash the floor. It still seems dirty! Lots of black water. I will work on the counter top and sinks tomorrow, plus the under counter drawers.

“Ain’t Photography Grand!!” There ain’t nothing better. 

Look at the inside of the trailer, from front to back.

Still plenty of snow and - temps. I cannot load water yet.

Floor betrayers that runs lights and the sink pump.

Lots of things need to be organized.

Lead acid battery I run off solar that is used for the agitation pumps. I will try to run 2 batteries this year in parallel to give more power and longer wash times.