Back at the Church

Got to the church again. Managed to make one ok plate, with the clock flicking on night fall. Will do more all day tomorrow. Spending the night alone on the prairies of Saskatchewan!!

Flat Tire on the Tire

Picked up a nail on our rear right trailer tire. We went through a long construction site on entering Dauphin, Manitoba yesterday, probably got it there. Called AMA, waiting on the tow truck, to change the tire.

Video: How to Deal With High Winds

Now that I am in the land of internet again. Here is a video from the shooting on lake Winnipeg yesterday. I had to hide behind a tree and load the camera tripod down with rocks to get the shot.

Videos: Bye Bye #3

  Bye to 24x24 plate number 3, made at Lake Winnipeg.

24x24 Plates, First Try!

My first ever attempt at the 24x24 plates!! It was fun and VERY challenging.

First time using the camera to make 24x24 inch plates. First time using the silver tank for that size, first time flowing that size plate with collodion, first time developing that size plate. 

I made 3 -24x24 inch plates tater in the day yesterday at Lake Winnipeg. 1-a complete disaster, 2-better but terrible, 3- almost OK (over exposed with edge issues).

It was a great learning experience. 14x14 inch Ambrotypes seem so much easier. I made 9 -11x14 inch plates earlier that day without too many issues. 24x24 is monster hard in comparison. 

This is my second last big jump. After 24x24 is accomplished only 35x35 remains! It is important to figure out 24x24. I will take the camera across the country making plates for AMBROTOS KANATA.

24x24 Chamonix Camera

#1

#2

#3

Dimsum at the camera position the next day.

Lake Winnipeg 11x14 Plates

 A few issues to start but then the plates came fast and easy. Lake Winnipeg, 11x14 Ambrotypes. Did 3 setups of about 8 plates in about 4 hours time.

Setup #1

11x14 Chamonix camera. Bought last winter, second hand.

Video: Shooting in Hight Winds

Shooting in high winds at Lake Winnipeg. Am weighing my camera down with rocks. I had both my 8x10 and 20x24 camera both go down in the wind. Now I am highly paranoid about it happening again.

A Good Memory

  

Manitoba Lake First Nation

Video: Washing Plates 11x14 and 14x14 Inch Plates

 Washing the plates at a FREE boon docking place in Gimli, Manitoba! List one plate in transport.

2nd Setup

 2nd set up!

At 60, Ambrotype Making Needs Recovery

Ambrotype making takes a lot out of me at 60. Slept till past noon today.my day of recovery. Was washing ambrotypes till 430am last night. I still need to pack the plates (they are outside the motorhome in a rack) clean the trailer and filter the silver.

Am figuring out systems for the larger plates. Want to shoot Lake Winnipeg next. Will probably do 24x24 inch glass for that abandoned Saskatchewan church we found earlier on the way back. Might need to order and pick up more glass in Calgary.

First Setup of Trip

Photographing at Winnipeg Beach today. A good learning day. Tons of firsts and second. Lisa guarding my camera, using the 360mm Nikon on 14x14 inch plates, vignetting. Have to be out of the campground by 3pm, so a rushing day. Will do the wash and dry at a different location.

Note* I love the new Garland trays!!

Ambros Soon

  

An Ambrotype Project for Return

Found this on todays drive. Will try to photograph this abandoned Saskatchewan Church on our return to Alberta. Will stay overnight in the almost abandoned town for 1 or 2 nights.l to get the ULF Ambrotypes made. 

With ambrotypes it is a slow and steady process. You need to find a strong subject then spend a day or two making images.

This church should be both a good and historic subject. 

Lldminister, Alberta

 $255 CAD for Diesel but FREE overnight parking at Walmart. Parked next to my evil twin.

On the Road Again

Free Bag!

Got this beauty camera bag for free today. Thanks so much Ester. I will use it to hold all my AMBROTOS KANATA, YouTube Channel gear.  The drone, microphones, GoPro cameras etc. Having everything in one bag makes sense

Video: Forest 11x14 and 14x14 Ambros

Going to try to vary the subject matter somewhat this next 3 week trip. But here are some 11x14 (3mm thick clear glass)and 14x14 (4mm thick clear glass). Forest Ambros shot a few weeks back. 

I think the 11x14 Chamonix will be a main camera for the AMBROTOS KANATA project. It has a better size plate than the small 8x10s but is still fairly easy to shoot with. A nice combination!!!

Video: Forest Scene #3, AMBROTOS KANATA

A 14x14 inch, 4mm clear glass ambrotype made 6 week ago. 

Forest Scene #3, AMBROTOS KANATA, David Thompson Highway, Alberta, Canada, 2024

Note* I love these forest scenes but need to expand my series subject matter. 

Window

Was thinking how my WINDOW for making ambrotypes for the AMBROTOS KANATA project, is now! We have such a limited time in this world. Life is a precious gift that does not last forever. I need to use my small window in time to create important imagery, Ambrotypes that will continue to inspire, after my time runs out.

3 Week Trip

 

Supersized Drying Racks

Here is a purchase I received today from Czechia. Drying racks for my wet plate photo project AMBROTOS KANATA. The 2 smaller (now have 3 in this size) are for plates measuring up to 24x24 inches. The larger one is for plates measuring 35x35. I will probably need to buy another 2 in this size in the future. I will use the racks to hold the cleaned plates, to dry the washed completed plates and to use after varnishing.