Art Acquisition by Application Submission, 2023

Made my annual Alberta Foundation of the Arts, "Art Acquisition by Application" submission tonight. Lots of paperwork, hope I can sell some ambrotypes from the AMBROTOS KANATA project. Last year I sold 2 plates for $2000 CAD. That money was used to buy more silver nitrate. Anything I can sell this year will go to the same cause. More silver nitrate means more ambrotypes for AMBROTOS KANATA!

Here are this year's submissions, all 8x10 inch clear glass ambrotypes.

Cottonwoods #3, AMBRROTOS KANATA, Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, 8x10 Clear Glass Ambrotype, 2023

Crucifix #1, AMBROTOS KANATA, Mundare, Alberta, Canada, 8x10 Clear Glass Ambrotype, 2022

Grave Monument #1, AMBROTOS KANATA, Mundare, Alberta, Canada, 8x10 Clear Glass Ambrotype, 2022

Lundbreck Waterfall #2, AMBROTOS KANATA, Lundbreck, Alberta, Canada, 8x10 Clear Glass Ambrotype,  2023

Memorial Union Graveyard, AMBROTOS KANATA, Calgary, Alberta, 8x10 Clear Glass Ambrotype, 2022

Bought a 1 Ton Truck for AMBROTOS KANATA

After the recent 2nd theft of dads dodge half ton, I was in the market for a used truck. I was thinking of a RAM 2500 but depending on the mileage those run $30000 to $46000 CAD.

I decided to go in a unique direction instead. Today I bought a 2003 Ford F-350 flatbed with 236 000 km. The truck is a dually with diesel engine. Cost $7500 CAD

I hope to use the truck as part of the AMBROTOS KANATA wet plate project. I will add another $7500 CAD to the overall project costs. Expensive total there!!!

I will try to shoot the larger cameras from the raised flatbed location. I might even try mounting a low-locked in place scaffold platform to shoot a bit higher. The metal storage boxes can be used for tripods etc. I can even use the roof mounted amber warning light for safety, when working in darker or fog conditions.

Drove the unit at 110km per hour on the highway today. It performed well. The truck feels solid, relatively quiet for a diesel as well. The unit has new tires and shocks. The sellers were good, decent, trustworthy gentleman.

Hope this works out well. I think it will. She should haul the 5000lb wet plate darkroom trailer nicely. Now have to think of a name for her.

Note* Already bought some new-used floor mats for her, and front seat covers. Will pick up the new 1-ton on Tuesday.

Note** Another positive for shooting from the flatbed is that will help keep the curious farther away from the camera, tripod and lens. One thing I have found is people are always approaching me during this project, asking questions, touching the camera, kicking the tripod etc.

2 New/Used Plastic Cases

Picked up  2 copycat Pelican style cases for $100 CAD today. The inside measurements are large enough to carry 16x20 glass. I will use them for the AMBROTOS KANATA  project, to carry glass and Ambrotypes. They seem sturdy and relatively light.

Links: 24x24 Inch Silver Tank

 

Today I got my new 24x24 acrylic silver tank. When the lid is attached the tank is leak proof, hopefully! I also had a wooden stand built.Everything done by UNDER RED LIGHT.

The hope is to screw the wooden stand into the floor of the trailer then place the tank inside it. I might be able to travel without removing the silver from the tank. Dangerous! Imagine spilling a 24x24 inch tank of silver!! If not, I will remove most of the silver into bottles that are then placed in a large cooler and then travel with the empty tank mounted to the trailer floor.

I will rework the interior of the trailer this season to accommodate this new silver tank gear and also the new 2 large wash tables I bought earlier.

I will put away the 8x10 camera this season and shoot 11x14 and 14x14 ambrotypes along with a few 24x24 plates. 35x35 inch plates are getting closer!

Note* IF I travel with silver in it I might also build a top plywood cover of some kind. So double duty plywood protection. I will probably store the silver in the cooler but there might be certain  situations where I have to travel quickly and leave it in the tank. 

For those interested check out the links.

24x24 Silver Tank Video

Stand Video

Wash Table

11x14 Chamonix Camera

24x24 Chamonix Camera

24x24 inch acrylic Silver Tank

Getting Ready to Shoot

Wet plate season is fast approaching. Am sunning and filtering my silver! I should be on the road in early May, working on AMBROTOS KANATA.

Quote: Don Yee (Facebook Friend)

 

It is Just, Figuring Stuff Out

AMBROTOS KANATA, my cross Canada wet plate project, is a lot of this.

Video: 24x24 Silver Tank

Here is the 24x24 Silver Tank I will use in my trailer. When the lid is attached it is leak proof. I should be able to travel with the silver still in the tank. Item will be shipping in from the Ukraine soon.

Video: Trailer Silver Tank Stand

The plan is to mount this stand to the floor of the trailer, allowing for 24x24 inch Ambrotype plates to be made.

Quote: Edwin Land (Mr.Polaroid)

 

Time For Important Work!!

It is time to do important work in the AMBROTOS KANATA project. Enough of this learning shit, let's make some lasting strong ambrotypes!

I will shoot my 11x14 camera exclusively this 2024 shooting season. No 4x5, no 8x10, onwards and upwards!

11x14 Camera Lens?

 Lots of lens for the new used 11x14. So far found these that work. They seem to have converge.

12-inch projection lens
360mm Nikkor W
350mm F5 Gundlach Petzval Lens
240mm El Nikkor Enlarger Lens
and of course, the 450mm Nikkor, 600mm Fujinon and 600 Nikkor process Lens.

The INDUSTAR-51 (I-51) 210mm f4.5 might be fun to play with it as well. Doubtful it will have coverage, but it can create an interesting wide-angle effect at close range (extended bellows) focus.

Portrait Inspiration!

Saved this image in my wet plate notebook as inspiration for my own ambrotype portrait work. Will try it soon at 14x14 inches. Thanks Kurt

Note* Thinking of multiple possible lens for this type feeling image.  I have lots of options. Will find what works!

14x14 format, 360mm Nikkor W, 350mm F5 Gundlach Petzval, 240mm enlarger, and 12 inch Projection.

24x24 format, 655mm Voigtlander F6, F11.5, 600mm Fujinon, 600mm Nikkor F9 and 18 inch Projection.

Photo by Kurt Moser

Gave a Fun PowerPoint Talk!!

 

Adaptor Board Fun!!

Figured out a double adapter lens board set up today. This idea uses things I already own without the cost of an additional lens board. So, follow along!

I mounted my 360mm Nikkor lens onto a Linhof Copal 3 lens board. Then placed the Linhof board into a Linhof to Sinar adaptor. Then placed everything into a Sinar to Deardorf adapter board.

I then mounted the whole contraption onto the camera.

So, we have a Nikkor lens mounted to a Linhof board, mounted to a Linhof/Sinar adapter board, mounted to a Sinar/Deardorff adapter board, mounted to the Chamonix 11x14 camera.

It should work! Or I could just buy a Deardorff copal 3 board for $50-$100 USD!

Note* I have 2 types of Linhof to Sinar adapter boards, 1 plastic, 1 metal. Using the plastic board here.

Bought an Extension Board

 

Gosh, spent a bunch of money again. $340 USD (including shipping) for a simple little item, an extension board for the 11x14 Chamonix camera. The board allows you to focus much closer, allows for longer bellows extension. 

The thought is too use this item on the 11x14 with the 14x14 wet plate back to do close head shots. I can also use it to do details of items in nature etc. Lots of money! For such a simple thing. If I had the skills I could have probably made one. The Chamonix version is a carbon fibre material I believe.

Note* I can probably use this item with the 16x20 and 24x24 cameras as well but with a much shortened extension. Still it is a bit of multitask device.

Second Wash Table Setup

I have been thinking of the best way to attach my hosing for the circulation-agitation pumps in my wash tables. One of the problems I have been having while washing plates is the hose getting away on me and scratching the surface of the ultra sensitive collodion emulsions. So you work all day trying to get a good plate and then during the wash process the wash hose moves and creates ugly damage on the plate. THAT HAS TO STOP!!

I was thinking of using a couple of these type double clamps on the table. The idea would be that both the water in and water out hoses would be held firmly in place with the clamps, preventing unintentional hose movement and damage.

The double clamp is mostly plastic but has some metal parts. I worry that with time they will become rusty. Each clamp cost $33, I would require 4 for the 2 tables (white and black wash tables).

Note* I like the black table color better, especially for clear glass ambrotypes. It should allow me to see the image while washing. This white table was $50 CAD cheaper ($130 versus $180 CAD), so I decided to save some money on the second table.

Lens Board Problem Solved

One good thing about having a ton of photo gear is that you can usually solve problems. I was worried about lens boards for the new/used 11x14 Chamonix and thought I might need to buy some. Expensive items! 

Today after work I tried attaching my Deardorff to Sinar adapter board to the camera and it worked! Now I can simply use my existing sinar lens-board lens (450mm, 600mm, 12inch projector lens) on the camera.  Easy speazy!!

My 11x14 Chamonix, Safely in Edmonton!

My 11x14 Chamonix is unpacked. Everything in good shape!! Can't wait to start shooting this beautiful tool. It will be my main camera for the 2024 Ambrotype season, replacing the 8x10 Deardorff. Thank you, Shin!

The package includes an 11x14 camera, 2 wet plate backs (11x14 and 14x14), 50 sheets of 11x14 aluminum for tintypes and a nice heavy duty camera bag I can use for many years.

Everything in almost new condition. I do not think the 14x14 back was ever used.

11x14!

 

Link: Fixing an Ambrotype Plate YouTube Video

 Made a new YouTube video of the fixing of an Ambrotype plate. Will use a portion of this vid in my coming (February 7) PowerPoint talk at the St. Albert Camera club.

Fixing an 8x8 Ambrotype Plate

Link: Jackson Pollock?

 Pollock Painting

Redo Darkroom Trailer Design?

I have been thinking lately of how I can redo the darkroom trailer layout to accommodate the 24x24 silver tank and stand I am having built in the Ukraine. 

The tank is acrylic with a wooden support base that I need to mount on the floor. If I place it at the back of the trailer, the wooden support and tank will block access to the rear doors, not a good thing. I am thinking of removing the metal shelf and the plastic drawers on the left side of the trailer (if you're looking to the back of the trailer) and placing the new silver tank along the left side of the trailer. I would need to screw the wooden box tank holder into the floor, so I need to figure out a permanent design. I will probably need to lose the metal shelf and also some of the plastic cupboards to make it work.

I think this idea might be functional. It would allow plates up to 24x24 to be made more easily and also allow me to seal the silver nitrate solution in the watertight tank and drive away from a shooting location more quickly. We will find out how it works in April when I start trailer the transformation.

Note* I asked the builder Alexander to add an additional cross support piece to the Silver Nitrate tank box.