Got My Wet Plate Portrait Lens

 Got the Portrait lens today.  I hope to use for 8x10 and 11x14 Ambrotype Portraits. Am hoping the F4.5 will create a nice bokeh (the aesthetic quality of the blur produced in out-of-focus parts of an image).

The lens came with Deardoff boards which fit my 8x10 Deardorff (Eddy) and my 11x14 Chamonix cameras. A nice bonus. I need to figure out the lens caps yet

Schneider Xenar 300mm and 360mm F4.5 lens.

Note* Found a lens so that kinda works for the 360mm. Also got a Bach on the last trip that will protect it.

Note** I might give the lens a go tomorrow when shooting at the plant.

Preparing For Big Plant Shoot

Preparing for the big 2 day industrial shoot at the plant. I fixed my leaning sink (for now) and redid all the windows. I simplified things by removing the magnet strips and ruby lith and taped on light proof black plastic.

Bought Me 2 Wet Plate Portrait Lens!

 I have been trying to avoid spending money on more camera gear. I caved thou and bought 2 lens, 2 lens specially to do wet plate Ambrotype portraiture. 1 lens is to capture head shots on an 8x10 inch camera and 1 is to do the same on a 11x14 camera.

I found a wet plate photographer, Engelbert Vissher, on Facebook whose work I admire. After some help from him, I am getting the same lens (Schneider Xenar 300mm F4.5 lens),   he uses. I love the bokeh and look of his imagery, hope this works for me as well!!

Note* The 360mm should allow me to create the same effects in the larger 11x14 and 14x14 formats.

Note** The lens being attached to Deardorff lens boards will work both with my 8x10 Deardorff and 11x14 Chamonix cameras. Having the boards included will save over $100 CAD.

Note *** I bargained the price down as much as I could, made lower offers, combined shipping costs.  I still need to figure out the lens caps.

Photograph by Engelbert Visscher

Schneider Xenar 300mm F4.5 lens COATED in barrel on deardorff board #9527

US $325.00

 

Schneider Xenar 360mm F4.5 lens COATED in barrel on deardorff board #9526

US $650.00

 

4mm Glass

4mm clear glass is so much more expensive than 3mm. I paid well over $1000 for the most recent 4 mm 14x14 and 24x24 inch glass.

I need to look into buying big clear glass 4 mm sheets and cutting my own.

Making My Own Frames

Got a hand miter saw from Goodwill for $20.50 CAD. Also picked up a bunch of wooden frames cheap. The plan is to try to make my own Ambrotype frames.

I need to have a large body of Ambrotypes framed for possible future exhibitions.

Plant Ambros Coming!

  I got final clearance to shoot today.

Ambrotype and Expressionist Art

Bought a book on EXPRESSIONISM today in Calgar. I see a lot of connections to Ambrotypes. The emotions, the blurring of fact, the composition also structures.

Speedo Wet Plate?

  

Back at Lundbrek Falls

We are back at Lundbreck Falls, Alberta. Spent three nights at a local campground, then came to the falls at 7am to get a spot. We left at around 6pm after a long day of 11c1; inch Ambrotypes making.

Note* My 8x10 Ambrotype from 2023 is currently going through second judging at the Alberta Foundation for the arts Acquisition Program. The shots this year are on larger plates from the other side of the fall's area.

IF I get the $1000 CAD check for that purchase, I will use it to buy wet plate chemicals.

Silver Spill

 I had an expensive silver bath spill in the trailer. I lost part of a funeral during filtering. Got stains on my body, arm and feet.

Note* I ordered a better clamp system to prevent another accident.

Note** I was as wearing gloves and safety glasses

Obsession With Money

  

Videos: Second Day at the Church

 Woke up and spent a full day and night at the church in Insinger, making plates. 

At the abandoned Church, Saskatchewan. AMBROTOS KANATA project.

Gerry Collodion. 14x14 inch plate, clear glass, Vinegar developer.

14x14 inch Ambrotype