Tray Silver Nitrate

New Record

Tolstoy on Humanity

 Leo Tolstoy viewed being human not as a biological given, but as an active moral and spiritual achievement. In works like A Confession, he argued that the sole meaning of life is to serve humanity and that empathy—feeling the pain of others—is the exact measure of our humanity.

3rd Day of Shooting

More Contrast in Wet Plate

From AI:

To achieve more contrasty results with your wet plate collodion developer, increase the ratio of acetic acid (the restrainer) to ferrous sulfate or slightly decrease your exposure while extending development. A highly concentrated or "hot" developer applied with aggressive agitation will also boost highlight contrast. 

Specific techniques and formulation adjustments you can use to tailor your wet plate contrast include:

1. Adjust Your Developer Formula

Increase Acetic Acid: The acid acts as a restrainer. Increasing the amount of 28% or glacial acetic acid in your ferrous sulfate developer holds back shadow details and creates punchier contrast.
Reduce Water: Using less distilled water creates a more concentrated (stronger) developer. 
Standard Old Workhorse Recipe (High Contrast):
• 30 to 45 grams Ferrous Sulfate
• 30 to 45 ml Glacial Acetic Acid (or 45 to 60 ml of 28% Acetic Acid)
• 30 to 45 ml Ethanol or 190-proof Grain Alcohol
• 500 ml Distilled Water 

2. Exposure and Development Tweaks (Push/Pull)

Underexpose and Overdevelop: To get brilliant, "dead" whites and deep shadows, slightly underexpose your plate and leave it in the developer longer.
Use a Metronome: Development time is your primary contrast control. Longer development times (e.g., pushing to 18–25 seconds) will aggressively build up highlight densities. [1]

3. Add a Restrainer (Sugar)

Lea's Sugar Formula: Adding sugar (or honey/sucrose) to your developer acts as a powerful restrainer. This allows you to develop the plate for longer periods without the background fogging, resulting in richer, more separated tones. 

4. Collodion and Bath Conditions

Aged Collodion: Older collodion that has turned red/amber is generally less sensitive to light. If you use standard exposure times with old collodion, the plate will naturally become underexposed, resulting in a more contrasty image.
Silver Bath: A slightly more acidic silver nitrate bath (lowered pH) yields cleaner, more contrast-rich plates (less prone to chemical fog). 

Quote: Leo Tolstoy

Wet Plate Talk

 

Making Ambrotypes

 

Mystery Man

The latest Japanese Ambrotype buy. My collection of these type Ambrotypes is about 6 or 7 now. I find these little beauties fascinating. Who was he, what happened to him. What kind of life did this little old man have? Did he have a family? What was his story?

The Ambrotype probably dates to 1870-1890. Meaning the man has been dead for 100 years plus but amazingly still lives inside the glass. You got to love the beauty and lifespan of wet plate collodion photograph.

Lunch Time Day 2

Lunchtime. Corn Beef sandwiches, pickles and salt and vinegar chips. The view! Priceless!!

Making Ambrotypes Day 2

Day 2 of Ambrotype making, will stay here in Jasper for an extra night and have a day 3 of shooting tomorrow. 

This area was swept by fire in August 2024. 

14x14 inch clear glass ambrotype, AMBROTOS KANATA, Canada

Making Ambrotypes Day 1

 Making Ambrotypes. Will try my first diptych!

Portraits With More Depth

Portraiture is more than making people look pretty. At least it should be!

Francis Bacon WORK

Goya’s Cyclopse

Saturn Devouring His Son - Dark & Macabre Classic by Francisco Goya, 1820-23

Note* this painting inspired Christopher Nolan (The Odyssey)

Thinking Time

 

Is Prem Alive!?

Found these today. Selfies with Khune Prem from 2025. I need to go back and see if she is still alive.

Will return and buy more food then donate it, with the photography talk money.

Project: THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE UNDER THE FREEWAY, Khlong Toei Slum Bangkok

VIDEOS: 2 More 11x14 Ambrotype Portraits

Finished up a few more 11x14 Ambros. I do not think the one of mom really works but it has some potential, so I placed it with tape against a black substrate. I will play with the idea.

Note* I have also started writing titles on the back of the taped plates.

VIDEOS: 3 New Ambrotypes

Three more 14x14 inch Ambrotypes.

Lisa #2 and #3, AMBROTOS KANATA, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada July 2026

Taken with 8000w flash setup and 360mm Schneider Xenar and Chamonix 14x14 Camera.

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Northland’s Coliseum before demolition, AMBROTOS KANATA, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, July 2026

Lisa #2

Lisa #4

Northland's Coliseum

VIDEO: Lisa Portrait #1

This shot is from the recent trip. Looking to figure out the best combo of lens, exposure, composition and sharpness. 

Trying to find that look u see in my mind. Getting closer.

Will post a variant tomorrow.

Lisa 63, 11x14 Ambrotype on clear glass, AMBROTOS KANATA, July 2026, Gull Lake, Alberta Canada

24x24 Portrait? Ambrotype

Will do some testing with the 24x25 inch Ambrotypes, with the current set up. I do not believe I can shoot these, but will try. Figure out what I got with the camera and the vintage brass lens.

Chamonix 24x24 with a Voigtlander 655mm F6

Various Ambros

Some Ambros from the last bit...

These images do not have thee proper black substrate backing yet. Will work on that soon. They are just sitting on a black garbage can.

Mom at 90

Northland's Coliseum

Lisa

Trying Ambro Head Portraits AGAIN! Testing

Will try again to capture the type of wet plate collodion image I see in my mind on 11x14, 14x14 inch glass tonight. Hope these tests work!

I am pulling out all the guns tonight. 8000 watts of flash power over 7 flashes. 800w (ring flash)+ 1600w + 1600 w + 1000w + 1000w + 1000w + 1000w.

Will give the Schneider Xenar 360mm f4.5 lens a go.

Chamonix 14x14 camera.

Portrait in the bath with floating collodion pieces

Doctrine of Discovery

Doctrine of Discovery: A series of 15th-century papal bulls that granted Christian explorers the right to claim lands inhabited by non-Christians, treating the Indigenous inhabitants as mere occupants without sovereign title.

Quote: Fran Lebowitz

2nd Place, 2nd Bangkok Subject?

I need to book a flight to Bangkok. I am looking for a second photo project to work on. If I do not return to Mae Sot and the families at the dump, I need another project besides the UNDER THE FREEWAY series to work on.

Possibly  this?

Slums and Informal Settlements: Some refugees integrate into existing local slums, such as Khlong Toei. These areas offer cheap living, but residents are subjected to extreme poverty, poor sanitation, and high risks of eviction

Note* I am trying to talk myself into returning to Thai. I need to return for more donation work but I also need a  photographic  inspiration.

Ambrotype of the High Level Bridge!