Press Room Ready, Waiting on the Press

The press room with 2 pieces of 3/4 inch plywood is ready and awaiting the press. Once the insurance check clears at the bank I will go ahead and transfer the press with Nick the current owner. It will probably be in place by next week sometime!!

This is what AI said about the benefits of 2 versus 1 sheet of plywood for strength and weight spreading.

"Yes, two sheets of 3/4-inch plywood are significantly stronger and better at supporting weight than a single sheet of 1-inch or 3/4-inch plywood. 

Because structural rigidity (resistance to bending) increases exponentially with thickness, the total thickness of inches provides far more than double the stiffness of a 1-inch panel.

Why Two Sheets Are Better

• Exponential Strength: Mathematically, a beam's bending stiffness increases by the cube of its height. Because of this, going thicker drastically reduces sagging and increases load capacity. "

2 More Freebies!

I picked up a second large self today, thanks Edward. Also got me a banged up picnic table. I will fix up the table and paint it. A nice little project.

BOTH FREE

Bought me a Metal Cutter, Hand Shear

I ended up going with the biggest VEVOR model metal guillotine cutter, their 32 inch. It was a $105 more than the one I posted earlier, but on sale, $359.90, down 16% from $429.99.

The main use for this cutter will be to cut the photopolymer metal backed plates used in modern phtogravare printing. I initially will be cutting the 16x23 inch store plates into 4 sections.

A bit of a gamble, hope I can use it lots. If I do them that means my photogravure dreams came true!

Note*  I can also use it for general carpentry work.

How to Cut Photopolymer?

Trying to figure out the best way to cut 16x23 inch photopolymer down to smaller sizes (metal backed). Hand shears seem the best option for straight even cuts. Part of the Photogravure printing process.

Thinking of this tool $255 CAD

Kinda has a “French Revolution's Reign of Terror (1793–1794” feel to it!

Free Metal Shelf for Carpentry Workshop

I picked up a free heavy duty metal shelf today. I washed it, added a can of blue spray paint and placed it in the carpentry workshop. It is great place to keep all my power tools, neatly in one area! Strong sturdy and free you got to love that!

I am a bit amazed how important the carpentry shop has come to be for the photography. My original thought was to make frames for the Ambrotypes but since then it has grown. I am making boxes for my glass plates, air conditioning cupboards, plywood sink counter tops and boxes for the darkroom trailer. The list of useful photography related things I can make in the shop continues to grow.

You can get some useful things for FREE

LINK: Learning Photogravure Online

I found a great source for learning about the Photogravure process. Silvi Glattauer also gives workshops in Melbourne Australia and online.

https://www.silvi.com.au/ 

Nice Used Find

Got a lightweight, smaller, aluminum folding scaffold today. Delivered to the house, cost was $75 CAD. A lot more expensive, new online ($366).

Bought it for work around the house (painting etc.) but I might be able to incorporate it into the AMBROTOS KANATA project as well. Camera support? A raised sitting position? Inside a tent as a shelf? Not sure just yet how I will use it but the light wait and functionality gives me options.

Photogravure Press Room Ready

The small room I am going to do my Photogravure limited edition work (once I learn the process) in is ready. The vinyl floor was installed today for $940. They did a good job, everything looks sweet. 

So far the entire post burst pipe renovation, upstairs and downstairs at the house cost is about $3000 CAD.

Will try to place the press in the new space later this week.

VIDEO: AC Unit, Setup and Working!!

I have the 12v AC unit setup and working, connected to the Jackery power supply.

I am hoping it will provide a consistently cooler workspaces allowing for both myself and all the wet plate chemistry to keep working consistently well. 

Temperature is such an important part of the process. Let’s hope this works. The AC unit is a $500+ gamble.

Note* I did a test run and I  think I can get about 4 hours of cold air out of the unit at the coldest setting. 

Note** I have 2 Jackery 1000w units.

Note** I can recharge the Jackery a number of ways. Via 110 power, 12v power or through 2 solar panels.

Scrap Wood Cabinet!!

Made up a scrap wood cabinet today. Not the nicest looking thing, a bit crooked but it should serve its purpose well and it is strong n sturdy.

The plan after painting is complete it to place it at the front of the darkroom trailer under the counter top. It will hold my new 12v AC unit along with the Jackery 1000 watt power supply.

I did a test run and I  think I can get about 4 hours of cold air out of the unit at the coldest setting. 

Note* I have 2 Jackery 1000w units.

VIDEO: First 11x14 Selfie

Here is a video of the 11x14 selfie I did a few days back. I have grown to like it. Will continue to work along these lines.

Working Out My Ambrotype Portraits!

So much wet plate photography done in the modern era is just plain bad. The photographers get so filled up with the process and the techniques that they forget to make good photographs, especially in portraiture. There are so many bad, boring, mundane portraits made by wet plate photographers , that it becomes a painful just to look at them all!

I want to create unique Ambrotype portraiture. How to do that? How can they be more than a fancy old process? How to create work that speaks to s different level of thought and awareness. Something that reaches past the humdrum and ordinary? 

It will be very difficult to do something unique. It is doubtful I can do chase down my pretentious hopes and do more, but I can at least try make the imagery more thoughtful and visually unique. Then from that point, maybe something deeper can eventuality be attained, with lots of hard work and the right sitters.

First attempts, will try more tomorrow.

11x14 inch Selfie, May 27th 2026, age 63

A New/Old Safelight

Found an old safelight in my old gaaragee. There were two like this in the box. I had bought them years back, but never used them. Now I am! One for the traiiler darkroom, one for the house darkroom. Its strange how these things you bought and forgotten in the past become important in the present.

attached security with 2 screws to the wall. I need to attach the red dome better.

Best of the Day

I will continue to work on my portraiture, this is the best of thee day. Out of focus but has a feel to it. I might have to bring in a flash at some point. Trying to manage things in available light, working with different lens now, trying to figure out what works best.

11x14 Selfy

A Quiet and Cool Pla

Sometimes its nice to have a cool, secluded, quiet place where you can relax, read a book. My carpentry area is such a place. The chair is quite comfortable, a Goodwill find.

Back to Wet Plate!

Setup making my first Ambrotypes in over 1 years time. It is all coming back to me! Trying to do 11x14 self portraits in available light.

 

Trying to get the portrait look I see in my minds eye. I have not done much wet plat portraiture. Got to get good at this, got to be able to do STRONG ambrotype portrait work!!!!!

 

My portable AC unit has not arrived yet. 27.5c inside the trailer.

 

Studying Photogravure!

 

LinkK How to Make the Photogravure Printing Plates

To create photogravure prints in  the old days, and still today, they made expensive copper plates that were etched in acid. With time a new easier way was developed, you used light sensitive polymer sheets, that are exposed through 2 steps using a transparencies (not sure exactly how it is done). Now the simplest, cheapest and fastest way to make a photogravure plate is using an inkjet printer that directly prints onto the polymer sheet, no transparencies required!

I found this today.; The video makes the process look simple, it is not. I will need to become a very proficient at plate makking, even a bit of a master, if I hope to do the photogravure limited editions I plan on doing.

Photogravure Plate and Print Making 

Epson printer plate direct-to-plate method

Plywood for Etching Press

Today I am working on the reopened (after winter) carpentry area of the house. Am making 3/4inch (5/8 in reality) plywood pieces to place under the press. I will place 2 plywood boards under the press.

The press weighs over 1000 lbs. It will be placed in the basement of my home but on a raised floor (about 12 inches). Placing plywood under the press helps support and spread the wight more evenly. I have learned that 2 plywood sheets offer much more load bearing protection, so I am going with 2 painted 3/4 inch plywood measuring 4 feet x 5 feet 6 inches. 

This set up should provide a safe press support for the last 20 years or so of my life as I make my limited edition photogravure prints of my life’s work. 

2 is better than 1

My 2 freshly cut and painted 3/4 inch plywood, weight transfer baring boards!

Tombstone Territorial Park, POSSIBLE?

Wanted to do wetplate, here, up in the Yukon but it might be impossible.  Making Ambrotypes for AMBROTOS KANATA there, would be wonderful!!

This is what AI says.

“Driving a Class C motorhome with a towed trailer to Tombstone Territorial Park on the Dempster Highway is not recommended. The rough, unpaved gravel road features sharp shale, steep grades, and heavy dust/mud that can cause severe damage, blown tires, and major wear-and-tear on your setup.Key Risks & RealitiesTire Hazards: The Dempster Highway is notoriously rough on tires. Blowouts on RVs and trailers are common, so carrying at least two mounted spares is highly recommended.Rental Agreements: If you are using a rental RV (e.g., from CanaDream or Fraserway), check your contract closely. Most rental companies prohibit taking their vehicles on the Dempster Highway due to the extreme risk of windshield chips and structural damage.Dust & Mud: Depending on the weather, the road can be a dry dust storm or an incredibly slick mud bath. Trailers are highly susceptible to dust intrusion through vents and heavy mud caking the undercarriage.Steep Grades: There are steep, winding climbs—such as into the Ogilvie Mountains—that will test your engine and transmission.How to Make the TripIf you are determined to bring your rig to Tombstone:Go Slow: You will need to drop your speed significantly (often \(40\) to \(60\text{ km/h}\)) to avoid potholes and flying stones.The Route: The highway begins \(40\text{ km}\) east of Dawson City on the Klondike Highway. Tombstone Mountain Campground is located at Kilometer 72 of the Dempster.Alternative OptionsMany travelers opt to unhook or leave large trailers in Dawson City, taking only the truck or Class C motorhome into the park.Leave the Trailer: There are several full-service RV parks and campgrounds in Dawson City (such as the Dawson City RV Park or Gold Rush Campground) where you can safely leave your trailer while making the day trip into Tombstone.Tombstone Campground: The Tombstone Mountain Campground allows for RV camping, but note that back-in sites are limited. You can review campground amenities and reserve a site in advance on the Yukon Parks website.“

The Comfort of Home!

So many people I knew from the old days have moved to newer parts of the city, to newer more expensive homes. So many feel their old neighborhood is no longer worthy, that there are better, newer, more expensive places that they should live. I disagree, sometimes a memory can bring more happiness than the shiniest and most expensive toys.

Living in your old neighborhood in your old home has a certain beauty to it. It connects you to your past, to old times, to mom and dad, to your first day of school, your shared birthdays, weddings and anniversaries., to so many good times.

I still live in my family home (moved here at 1, am 62 now), I am still around everything I knew as a child. In my minds eye I can see my mother, father, family and friends, around every corner. 

The memories continually flood back. It’s comforting, and rewarding to live this way. There is a simplicity and happiness to it.

5 Lights for $20 CAD!!

After a tiring night of renovation work and an exhausting day of work of hauling a bunch of items to the garbage. I pushed myself a bit further.

I managed to get a series of indoor dome ceiling lights off FaceBook marketplace. Got 2 beautiful large lights for the ceiling of tge press room at $10 CAD each. And got 3 more slightly beat up but still nice dome lights FREE that I will use in the carpentry shop. Dad had the wiring set up there but never installed lights.

Sometimes pushing yourself is a good thing. 5 quality lights for $20!!! Can’t beat that!

Will try installing the press room lights after I sleep. I also need to repair a bunch of switches and 1 power plug in the house basement. Bought some of those plugs from a Restore shop a while back, will need to find them.

I installed the lights, took a while but got it done. Not bad for $10 each, lots of light provided. It will be fun making Photogravure prints in this space.