Chamonix x 3

 

$72!!!!

Almost swallowed my tongue when the price to ship a single, light weight, single envelope to Toronto came up, $72 CAD!!!! Signature needed at the other end.

I thought there must be a mistake, but no,  not!

The bank draft is on its way to Toronto, total cost with this draft shipping nonsense was $6118 +72 = $6190 CAD. 

Will get the 11x14 Camera, 11x14 wet plate holder, 14x14 wet plate holder, camera case, and 50 sheets of 11x14 tin for tintypes, along with the plywood shipping case.

Note* At least the bank gave me a draft for free.

$130 White Wash Table!

Picked up a second wash table. With the big purchase of the 11x14 camera I was unsure about spending more money but if your going all in, go all in! The table is over $50 cheaper than the black version I already own. I have seen the build quality, tested the table, all should be good for a second one. The white surface is not as suitable for me as the black but a $50 plus discount, is a $50 plus discount! Maybe I can place some black plastic of some kind on the bottom of the sink, under the washing plates. That way  I can see the image as a positive, on the clear glass plates.

Now with the 11x14 and 16x20 cameras and the 2 wash tables, I should be ready to go making ULF plates 11x14 inches and larger next shooting season. I might also be able to use the tables in indoor shooting situations like at workshops and talks, on location indoor plate making.

4 foot indoor wash table for wet plate

Emily ‘s Influence!

I was thinking of Emily Carr paintings when I made this Ambrotype in 2022, 91 years after her 1931 image.

I have grown to really love her work. She is my favourite Canadian artist.

I will try to make a large salt print of this Ambrotyoe later.

Buying a Used 11x14 Chamonix Camera!

I will complete my Chamonix wet plate collection of cameras with a purchase of a used 111x14 camera. The addition of this tool will give me a 11x14, a 16x20 and a 24x24 Chamonix. 

The deal is for a  11x14 camera, a 11x14 plate holder, a 14x14 plate holder, 50 sheets of 11x14 aluminum (for tintypes) and a Chamonix camera bag. The total cost including shipping and insurance to Edmonton from Toronto will be $6117.15 CAD. 

This new expense is high but quite a bit cheaper than buying everything new. The camera was used 8 or 9 times, in studio, never outdoors. The seller is a reputable, talented, hardworking professional photographer, who takes care of his gear.

The camera should be an important piece of gear for AMBROTOS KANATA! I hope to use it extensively in the 2024 shooting season. Could the 14x14 inch format become my main portrait style?

New Wash Table

Got my black sink table. Set it up with water and a drain stop. Everything looks good. The idea is that I can now wash my larger plates measuring 11x14 , 14x14, 12x20 and 16x20 inches, outside of the darkroom trailer. 

I will fill the sink up with water, insert the plates and use a circulator pump for agitation. Wash the plates for at least an hour. Then drain the water and rewash as needed. It should be a sound and archival method. I can then dry the plates and travel.

AMBROTOS KANATA Talk Points!

Tonight, after I posted that I was working on my PowerPoint presentation, I got into a little chat on Facebook. Thought I would share.

TS: 3 weeks ain't bad for prep for a talk. If you own the subject, you'll be fine. Make an outline, have "bullet points" that you can refer back to and relate to each other. In October, I gave my first talk in front of a group in 20 years with no prep, a powerpoint I assembled the day before, a little rocky, but ok.

GY: my problem is shutting up. Once I get going on my photography, it is hard to stop. Am working on getting everything down to 45 minutes. An introduction, brief history of my work then the focus of the talk. The cross Canada Ambrotype project, AMBROTOS KANATA, history, process, technique, gear, beauty of wet plate, images and goals. All need to be covered. Will also take props for pi to see. 8x10 camera, holder, silver tank, and finished Ambrotype plates. Lots to fit into 45 minutes. Might need 1 hour.

GY: I have been working on the bullet points in the presenter view of PowerPoint tonight. A few simple words I can see, then launch out telling the story without reading.

GY: I think this will go Ok. My 5th or so time doing an artist talk. When you are speaking about what you love it becomes easy. A story from way back, 2015. For years I worried about giving a eulogy for my father. He asked me to give one years before he passed. Speaking in public was something I feared. Then about two days before the funeral. I thought “Wait a minute. All I got to do is tell everyone what a great father he was and how much I love my dad.” After that it was easy, and it went very well. I just relaxed and spoke from the heart. That is the way it goes with photography. I love it and love the process, the subjects, the joy of creating. Love it all!! Talks are easy. Now it just comes down to saying everything you need to say in the best way possible, a way the most people can enjoy!

Gotta Get On My Horse!

Running out of time to complete AMBROTOS KANATA. Am 59 and counting.

Refining My AMBROTOS KANATA PowerPoint Talk!

Tonight at work I am refining my AMBROTOS KANATA PowerPoint Talk. The presentation will include my photographic history but will focus on the long term Ambrotype project of Canada AMBROTOS KANATA.

I speak at the St. Albert camera club on February 7, 2024.

My Wash Table Has Arrived!

My preparation for the next shooting season continues!

After an epic journey across North America which I tracked online, my wash table arrived today. The box was a bit beat up but the table inside was fine, no damage. 

The plan is to use this unit to wash 2-16x20 plates at a time outside the trailer. I might possibly use it in my wash tent. A black table was $80 CAD more expensive on Amazon so got a cheaper deal price from “Bath and Beyond” which shipped me the table from the USA. There were no additional charges

Cement Mixing Tubs!! For Ambrotype Trays!!!!

One of the suggestions from my Facebook groups in regards to big trays for wet plate work, were these. cement mixing tubs!! Big plastic tubs, the bigger size only $14.99 Cad the smaller $7.99 CAD.  I got 2 small and 4 large!

I can use the small tugs for up to 14x17 inch plates (11x14 more likely) and the big tubs for 12x20 and 16x20 inch work this coming season. 

I can probably dump my larger and heavier darkroom trays for these cheap, less easy to damage and  fast to handle little units! As a side bonus I should be able to see some of the clear glass imagery on the black plastic.

Note* I am quite happy with these, I think they will be very useful. I will probably get 4 or so more large ones. That way I can keep the large 12x20 and 16x20 wet plate places made this in their individual tubs. I wonder if I can figure a way to cover them for transport?

Note** I picked up an additional 8 large size tubs. Giving me a total of 12 in that size. 1 for fixer, 1 for hypo clear and  the other 10 for washing, holding and possible transport of 12x20 inch and 16x20 inch plates. Maybe too many but in the field I would rather have too many than not enough.

Note*** The transport idea goes like this. I place a non washed plate inside the tub add an 1/2 inch of water and some vegetable glycerine to keep the place moist and tacky. Then I place another tub on top and repeat the process, tub-plate-tub. The key of course is the bottom of  the cover tub  and the top of the storage tub, DO NOT TOUCH. There must be enough space to protect the sensitive collodion emulsion. If I can find that space, my evil plan will succeed.

If this idea works. I can shoot and then store the plate pre-wash, allowing for quicker down times between travel. I can then travel to my sleeping location, take apart the tubs and properly, wash and dry the plates. 

18x30 flat lay down area.

14x21 inch flat lay down area

Doggy Pool Times 4

I tested the strength of the doggy swimming pool this morning. It seemed quite strong. I ordered another 3 at the discount price of $29.99 each. We shall see how these work out for the 36x36 inch and 24x24 inch ambrotypes. They should work fine for the wash cycle but am unsure how they might work with messy hypo and hypo clear.

The pools are quite large at 12 inches deep and 47 inches in diameter. 

Testing pool with water overnight.

Swimming Anyone?

Hmm...trying something wacky, a dog pool to wash plates in. Doubt it will last but for only $30 CAD, it is worth a try. If this idea works, I will use it with my 24x24 inch and 36x36 inch plates, worth a try! The pool is easy to store, you just fold it up and put it in a bag. No blowing up with air, no giant rigid pool to store in the trailer, just a little bag. If this thing kinda works as I hope, I will get a few more for the fix and hypo clear. The strange thing is the large size is $29.99 but the smaller medium size runs at $99.80. Don't get that! A sale of some kind, a $70 CAD discount right now. I will test my new POOL tomorrow after work. Wonder if Dimsum wants a bath?

Washing pool for the plates? Will it work? Will it be durable? Doubtful but worth a go.

Artist Talk, Only For Members!

Giving an artist talk February 7th at the St Albert Camera Club. Unfortunately, it is a members only thing. 

Silver Nitrate Tank and Stand

I ordered a 24x24 inch acrylic silver tank and a wooden stand from Alexander in the Ukraine last night. I will mount the stand onto the floor of the darkroom trailer and attach the tank to the stand. The unit, plus lid should be leak proof, meaning I can put the lid on and drive without fear of spilling very expensive silver nitrate! Not sure I will have the guts to do that, but its the plan. 

This new tank unit will allow me to shoot the 24x24 inch Chamonix next season. The tank should be easy and efficient to use. HERE'S HOPING!! Cost including expensive shipping is around $1700 CAD. I will have to pay some border duties and taxes as well.

Note * I asked the builder to also add a cross wood panel on the front of the stand to add support.

Wooden tank stand

24x24 inch Silver Tank

Dipper for tank