Lovely "History Of Art" Book Read

 Reading my$2 HISTORY OF ART today, so lovely!

Dumped 16x20, Moved Onto 8x10

Made 1 lousy 16x20 then switched to 8x10s. 8x10s are relatively easy to make now. I think it was the smarter move for the last shooting days of the season. I needed to go home with some strong plates!

New 25 Gallon Tank For The Wet Plate Trailer Darkroom Sink

Got a newish used RV sewage tank last week for the darkroom trailer last week. New cost was $249, used with delivery was only $100. Before I was using a 15-gallon tank, this 25-gallon version fits and works much better. Slowly and surely am making improvements to the working systems and tools. Climbing the mountain to making 35x35 plates 100% in the field across Canada.

Note* This last week the tank worked great, but I almost ruptured myself trying to get it out of the trailer to empty. I need some kind of pump-hose system which will allow me to remove the wastewater without too much strain. I found out after words that 25 gallons of water weighs an astonishing 200lbs!!

The 16x20 Camera

16x20 camera set up, tree Ambrotypes today!!! 1C on waking up, high of 24C today. Will make 16x20 ambrotypes of the trees today. Will also try to wash. yesterday’s 8x10 dinosaur ambrotypes. The one I left outside in water trays froze over!! Hoping to do multi week and month Ambrotype trips next year if I retire. Handling the big cameras is difficult, not sure how I will manage the 35x35 inch machine.

Iced over Dino

16x20 Chamonix, with 450mm lens

In Drumheller, Photographing Dinosaurs

 In Drumheller, going to try to photograph me a dinosaur. Dimsum is less a fan of this place.

Fanny/Freddy with Mr. T-Rex

Fanny And Freddy Are Road Worthy Again!

Fanny and Freddy are ready to head out on the road after the blowout. We will be heading to Drumheller Alberta on a short 3-night trip. The plan is to make 8x10 and 16x20 Ambros of Dinosaur statues and trees, maybe a viewpoint diptych. This is the last trip of the season, I should get 2 days of shooting.

Have added some safety features to the RV. A tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), and a 1080p dashcam.

Note* If the TPMS system works well on Fanny the RV, I will get a second unit for Freddy the darkroom trailer.

Note** I need to add some air to the right dually and front right tires.

Quote: Mark Twain

 “Don’t let schooling interfere with your education.”

FANNY Repaired!

FANNY the RV is repaired!!! It took about 5 weeks but she is in better shape now post repairs than she was before the accident! 4 new rear tires, rims, new power plug, new fenders and fibreglass. They could not get the original fenders because they were discontinued, so the shop installed new matching ones on both sides of the RV. 

I also installed a tire pressure monitoring system, TPMS. Which will hopefully help prevent future blowouts. The 4 new rear tires and the pressure monitoring system will give peace of mind.

Check out the before and after pics!. 

 

Will do a short 3 night trip to end the season. Will try to make some 16x20 ambrotypes. 

Note* The repair costs was acceptable, insurance paid for most of the damage. I had to pay the detuctable and for the 2 new left tires plus of course the rising insurance costs next time round. If I can make some strong ambrotypes in the future, it will all be worth it.

Yea 

Interview And Photos

Sent photos to the University paper today, interview (a chat) fit the story happening on Saturday. Hope it raises awareness and helps to raise funds for the people in the pictures.

Quote: Aldous Huxley (Writer, Philospher)

 

Quote: Jimi Hendrix