The Ups and Downs of 20x24 Mammoth Ambrotypes!

So, the ups and downs of Mammoth wet plate work. I am having an up and down day. I am learning a lot but not producing much.

The latest learn? The 20x24 inch plate is to big to stop wash in my trailer sink. I can do it with 16x20 but 20x24 glass is damn tough. I ended up dropping it into the sink and. Breaking a corner. I will try a water tray next time.

Lots of firsts today. First test plate at 20x24. First use of 42 inch lens. First use of more developer in jars (worked). First cooler cooled developer (29.4C in the trailer). First support system to aid development.

A good learning day I might step back to a 16x20 camera next trip.

Cottonwoods near Drumheller Alberta.

9 min 30 seconds, 42-inch Goertz Lens, Gerry Collodion, Vinegar Developer, f128

Siesta Time!

Siesta time, too damn hot! I had a nice rest and meal on my new camping cot.

20x24 Ambrotype Day

Slept about 10 hours and then got outside at about 6am to start the 20x24 shooting day. It turns out that 6am is way too late. Set up of all the 20x24 camera gear and the darkroom takes forever to do by yourself. For future 20x24 days I need to start working closer to 4am (in the dark).

The mosquitoes are swarming here!!!’ Even with deep woods off I am being attacked.

Will try the 42-inch Goerz Lens for the first time.

A Tiring But Positive Day

Another day of 8x10 Ambros (clear glass). Put in around 12 hours. Gerry Collodion, Vinegar Developer, 120mm Nikkor, 250mm Fujinon, Deardorff 8x10 Eddy.

Am trying to find the balance between exposure and development. Did about 16 plates today. Tomorrow onto 20x24s!!

Time To Be Humble

I am starting to feel very comfortable and confident making 8x10 clear glass ambrotypes. My technique, problem solving, and plates have continuously improved.

Tomorrow I am in for some humble pie! Will be taking in 20x24 glass again!!!

Last 2 Ambrotypes

2 more pieces of glass left. 2 more plates to make. Then I rest for tomorrow’s 20x24 work. Back to Edmonton on Sunday.

After The Siesta

After the siesta plate. Am using a cooler with ice for the collodion and a electric cooler for developer. Trying to standardize and simplify and much as I can.

Timeout

Wet plate time out!

A Bit Overexposed or Overdeveloped

 Another plate, 2nd of the day. A bit overexposed, next one will be 2 min 45 seconds, down from 3‘30”.

Nap Time

 My newest old man wet plate making buy. A nice big and strong camping cot the idea is I can rest and nap during my long 12 plus hour shooting days. I do not have to shower or change clothes to sleep inside the RV. Instead I can collapse outside in the same stinky clothes for 20 minutes before rising refreshed to continue the work. 

Ambrotypes Soon!

 A nap and then some more cottonwood tree Ambros!! I will try to make Diptychs and Triptych’s with the 8x10. Will shoot the Deardorff EDDY, named after my father.

Eddy, the dad Deardorff.

Van Gogh and Jackson

 Got to love Libraries, this is today in Calgary. !From Vincent Van Gogh and A.Y. Jackson books, todays library visit. Want to learn more about A.Y. Jackson, study his life and work.