Preparing to do 24x24 inch Ambrotypes!!!

Getting the darkroom trailer Freddy and the 24x24  camera gear together. Will try making ultra ultra large Ambrotypes next week!!

Lots to think about. this is a big and difficult step.

Cut Up the Window Glass Today

Cut up the free window glass today. It was 3mm thick, once I removed thee metal framing. Cut the first 2 rather sloppily, the second 2, were better cuts.

I ended up getting 7-14x14 inch plates and 7-11x14 inch plates (the plates are slightly below 11 inches). Plus a few smaller sizes from some old broken glass I had,

Nice to get the free glass, it should last a session or two. Old free house windows might be better to search for as they are not tempered glass.

4 Free Glass Windows

Picked up 4 FREE large NOT tempered window frames tonight. Each metal frame section measures about 32 inches x 24 inches. Meaning if I take the metal off apart and do the cuts without breakage I will get 8-14x14 inch plates  to expose ambrotypes on.

Different Vinegars

I have been playing around with my vinegar developer of late for my ambrotype work. If you have a higher level of glacial acetic acid (restrainer) in the mix, you can achieve a slightly more contrasty image. Having a contrastier development option is important on heavily overcast days. 

To that end I am learning more about various glacial acetic acid concentrations in different type vinegars. I also have the optioni of adding pure glacial acetic acid or acetic acid (diluted Glacial) directly into the developer.

I would prefer to have a a variety of premixed vinegar developers at the start of every shoot. Saving some time and allowing for variation choices depending on my mood and the lighting of that day. It would also be safer to only use vinegar.

There seem to be a variety of Vinegars available. 5%, 7%, 10% and 30% (expensive)!

Lost a Lot of Glass

When cutting my free farm glass before last trip I found that much of it was tempered glass so unusable (cannot be cut).

It is so depressing, I did so much work getting the glass, and then hauling and carrying it around, only to find out the majority was tempered.

Now I need to get rid of that glass, and buy expensive new glass. 

Note* My search for non tempered free glass continues.

Silver Nitrate Tray

For the fat farm glass (5mm?) I was forced to use a tray to coat silver nitrate on the plates. When I tried using the tanks, I kept scraping the collodion emulsion off, which is super frustrating, expensive and wasteful. 

The tray system worked well. I might try it with the large 24x24 inch plates to come!! It might be an easier way to do things except for the clean up which will take longer as I will need to pull out and return the silver solution to the bottle each and every time I do a session.

Water on a 2 Day Shoot

I was able to reuse some of the storage water. Poured it back into the 5 gallon jugs after day one use, and used them again on day two. A functional way to extend my water supply.

Power, on a 2 Day Shoot

On the second day of shooting I ran out of power with my for car battery set up. I had used it a long time the first day so by the second there was no much left. I was forced to turn off the exhaust fan and run the lights and timer off small 20v batteries, went through 1 1/2 of those. 

I was able to run the A/C on the 1000w Jackery (battery power supply) for about 4 hours (not sure how much power left there). I used the low power A/C setting which helped things. The trailer interior interior did not run above 23C, which helped to prevent artifacts on the plates.

Motorhome Hitch Not Damage

The motorhome hitch was acting funny this last trip. For 6 years there was no issues but this last trip the right side bumper area was sagging. I believe the hardware holding the hitching frame to the RV is damaged/loose on the far right side. 

When I put the trailer on a space of about 1.5 to 2.5 inches is created above the rear right bumper. When I remove the trailer weight, everything pops back into place. It did that 2 times.

I will need to tank "FANNY" the RV in for a repair at a hitch shop. Hopefully it is not too expensive a fix.

Collodion Coming Off the Plate, Why?

I had several issues of collodion coming off the glass place last trip. It might be related to much sloshing honey, but more likely it is a plate cleaning issue (lousy cleaning on my part). I will try a few solutions. I am not eager to albumnize the entire plate, not just the edges.

I think its plate washing as I was tired and rushed things on the 2nd day, where most of the problems happened.

Spot the Problem!!

I had an issue with my glove, can you spot it? 

The problem stems from attaching the plate back to the camera. The spinning attachment wheel cuts a hole in my glove.

Leading to a badly blackened finger from Silver Nitrate

I will need to use a thicker style glove (Gorilla, used by mechanics) in the future or change them out more often.

Day 2 Stuff, Nordegg, Alberta Cemetery

I need to go back, started late in the day and had exposure issues. Was very tired by the end of things. There is a lot more to photograph there than I was able to get.

I will try to return in not soon with the truck and trailer alone (motorhome towing issue), and get more shots. Might even try the 24x24 inch camera.

Day 1 Stuff, Forest Next to Campsite

I shot 2 days of 11x14 and 14x14 inch Ambros, this last trip, rather exhausting.

Campsite forest shots next to my motorhome.

One of the shots

Sink Area

Plate pulled from silver tank, dripping off excess

Camera set up

The pretend master photog look

AMBROTOS KANATA Meaning Version 2

Ambrotos Kanata 

Ambrotos = the Greek word for immortal. I put this in the title to indicate the strength and lasting power of an ambrotype, wet plate, photograph. Along with the immortality of the Canadian landscape and the inhabitants of Canada.

Kanata =  is an indigenous Canadian word meaning "village" or "settlement". It is the origin of the name Canada. I chose this word to pay tribute the original people on Turtle Island (North America), the indigenous natives/first nations people.

Some Nice Freebies!!

Got some nice freebies tonight for from the Photographic Historical group I belong to. A first class 12 inch cable release, a 75mm medium format enlarger lens, some 1961 magazines and a few other odds and ends.

The time I spend with members, the more I enjoy being there. Will give a talk the group on wet plate on Feb 7, 2027, should bee fun.

Man in a Headscarf (Procurer), 1954

Love this painting by Lucian Freud. I think it will impact my Ambrotypes portrait work.

Man in a Headscarf (Procurer) 1954

FACEBOOK Break!

Am tiring of FACEBOOK. For me it was a great learning tool. I do not think I could have learned Wet Plate without it. Now I am learning Photogravure as well. It’s like having wonderful, giving teachers around the world. I have met Facebook friends in real life, shared meals and stories, all great fun.

But there are many FACEBOOK negatives as well. All the racism, misogyny, transphobia, homophobia and Islamaphobia on the site  is wearing me down. Seeing all that hate from so many, more than I ever thought existed, is depressing me. Today a video popped up of a woman being repeatedly slapped on the street by a man. Terrible stuff. Who wants to be around that?

All that ugliness destroys your soul. Maybe I should take a Facebook break.

Tempered Glass Sucks

 

Ambrotype Portrait Look

Been thinking a lot about ambrotype portraitures lately.  I find 90% of modern wet plate portraits trite and boring. I need to go in a different direction.

On Saturday I bought a small icon print from a thrift shop. I have always been fascinated by Christian Icon paintings (1100-1300s +). In museums I am drawn to them. Painted on wood, quite often in diptych or triptych form. They are so lovely. I like them not because I believe in magic beings, gods and miracles but because of the outer worldly humanity of the pieces. You can feel the heart of the artist in them. They look like nothing else, the contrast, sheen, compositions, sharpness, 2 dimensionality, and human story telling. 

I think the Icon feel is what I am looking for in my Ambrotype portrait work.

I May Have a Problem!

Bought me a ton of new books today, those in the basket are $2 CAD each. Also bought another 6 or 7 at prices between $1 and $4.  Love my books, maybe too much. I just see them as a wonderful way to learn. Am interested and curious about so much. Readomg amd thinking about you have read, is such a joy.

A Truly Great Film

Did the Friday night classic film on Saturday night this week.  A  TRULY GREAT FILM!
"On the Waterfront" 1954, 8.1 on IMDB
Marlon Brando
Rod Steiger
Lee J Cobb
Eva Marie Saint
and Karl Malden
Directed by Eliia Kazan

23 Countries

For fun I counted the countries I have visited. Been to 23 different ones. Went to most several times, especially Thai. Not as many countries as some but more than many. Each is a an adventure filled with memories.

The list:

USA

MEXICO

ITALY

CZECHIA 

ENGLAND

FRANCE

GERMANY

AUSTRIA

SWITZERLAND 

BELGIUM

NETHERLANDS

THAILAND

SINGAPORE

CAMBODIA

BURMA 

LAOS

VIETNAM

MALAYSIA

NEPAL

INDIA

JAPAN

HONG KONG (when not part of China)

CHINA

23 countries.

Vinegar’s

Bought this today. I use white vinegar developer for my ambrotypes but wanted a more acidic version to raise contrast a bit. Pickling vinegar has a higher percent of glacial acetic acid in it. than white vinegar. Will try mixing it straight and try adding smaller quantities of it to my regular white vinegar developer 

Both white vinegar and pickling vinegar are available at most grocery stores in Canada. Making my supply shopping quite easy.

They also have a version called cleaning vinegar, which is even more acidic.

“White vinegar, pickling vinegar, and cleaning vinegar differ primarily in their acetic acid concentration and whether they are safe to consume.White VinegarAcetic Acid: Usually 5%.Safety: Food-grade and completely safe to eat.Use: Highly versatile for cooking, salad dressings, baking, and light household cleaning.

Pickling VinegarAcetic Acid: Usually 5% to 7% (often standardized at 7% for safe food preservation).Safety: Food-grade and safe for consumption.Use: Designed specifically for canning and pickling vegetables to reliably stop bacteria growth. Some varieties may also include added spices or salt.

Cleaning VinegarAcetic Acid: Usually 6% or higher (about 20% stronger than standard white vinegar).Safety: Not safe to eat. It is not processed in food-grade facilities and may contain harmful impurities.Use: Strictly for heavy-duty household chores like cutting grease, removing soap scum, and clearing mineral deposits.”

Mixed Up 5 Litres of Gerry Collodion

Mixed up 5 Litres of Gerry Collodion. Should last a couple of days. Also bought 250 grams of Silver Nitrate. 

The expensive part of the project. Need to sell some plates! 

Got to get goong on new work!

Churchill Book

Nice thrift store find from yesterday. One of the six books written by Churchill post WW2 on the conflict. I had the other five but was missing this one. $2 CAD. 

Reading about Burma. The people I photograph at the Mae Sot dump are from the Karen ethnic group. They have been fighting a civil war with the majority Burman people (Generals), since the end of WW2. It quite interesting to read the history that lead to the civil war.

A Good Meal After 11 Hours of Shootiing!

After a 11 hour day of making Ambrotypes, a barbecued steak, with salad, potatoes and corn, feels just right!

A wonderful view, makes it even tastier! 

The view from my table

Silver Nitrate Stain

It was a very good day, lots of successful plate’s.
silver nitrate war wound!! I must have touched my face when working with the Silver Nitrate tray. It will last 2-3 days, maybe longer.

It was a very good day, lots of successful plate’s.

FROM FACEBOOK

KI

Didn’t it burn. We used silver nitrate sticks to cauterize granulation of skin or burn off skin tags etc

GERRY YAUM

no, no burning. It is a 9% solution mixed with distilled water. It stains everything which is nasty. Also very expensive.
You do not want to get it in your eyes as it has the potential to blind. I wear safety glasses when handling it (probably got the mark when removing
my glasses). Also I have 2 eye washes in the trailer just in case.

A Busy Day!

 

Fat Plate? No Problem!

This one has a story. 
I was trying to run this plate through my silver nitrate tank yesterday. It was too thick (4-5mm) for the tank to handle and I kept on scratching the collodion surface. Super frustrating stuff!!!
Adapted and decided to add my silver nitrate to the collodion plate in a tray instead. First time I have ever done this! It worked well. I had read about it, reading is a force for good 

This one has a story. 
I was trying to run this plate through my silver nitrate tank yesterday. It was too thick (4-5mm) for the tank to handle and I kept on scratching the collodion surface. Super frustrating stuff!!!
Adapted and decided to add my silver nitrate to the collodion plate in a tray instead. First time I have ever done this! It worked well. I had read about it, reading is a force for good 

5 years into wet plate I find more and more that my problems are easily solved. Experience and the help of friends teaches you a lot! Wet plate ain’t that hard!!!
Dead Tree, 11x14 inch clear glass, AMBROTOS KANATA, Jasper Alberta, Canada, August 2026
Note* This was made on free farm glass! FREE is always good!!!                                                               

Version #1

Version #2