I figured I needed to start reading some of the older literature on the process. From "On The Use Of Collodion In Photography By Frederick Scott Archer"
"The plate is now plunged into a bath of nitrate of sliver, allowed to remain there for a few seconds then washed in water. (This washing is intended to remove all the ether from the surface of the collodion, which if allowed to remain, would cause unevenness in the sensitiveness of the surface, producing streaks or spots.). Immediately after washing, it may be exposed to the action of light for the time necessary to obtain a picture."
Never heard of the WASHING WITH WATER TO REMOVE ETHER AFTER THE SILVER BATH before exposure. Guess this is old school thinking that is not relevant now, but found it interesting coming from Archer.
Note* Reading and learning from the history of photography/wet plate process is very exciting. A very nice way to spend a night shift :)
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| Frederick Archer The Inventor Of Wet Plate |
