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.

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.