Thinking of doing 5-10 completed Ambrotype works that are framed (handmade frames) for exhibition. I need to see what the final/finished works look like. I can also video and photograph these completed pieces for exhibition!!
I NEED TO GET THE AMBROTYPE PROJECT, AMBROTOS KANATA, EXHIBITED!!!
Been playing with thicker glass of late. These two are on some free glass I got and cut to size. Thicker glass creates a greater feeling of 3D depth.
From the AMBROTOS KANATA project.
Gerry Collodion, Whirte Vinegar and Pickling Vinegar development. 11x14 clear glass. Hypo fix with honey used for transport to a washing water source.
Going to try some 20x24 and 24x24 inch plates this Sunday.Time to move up in class
PLATES: Jasper Park Tree, Nordegg Graveyard, Alberta, Canada\
Ambrotos Kanata
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!!!
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| Version #1 |
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| Version #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
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
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| Lisa #2 |
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| Lisa #4 |
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| Northland's Coliseum |
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
5 years and both (Fanny and Freddy)running well. The AMBROTOS KANATA project moves on to portraiture and 24x24 inch Ambrotypes.
Found some more FREE glass. Will pick it up tomorrow. It’s on another farm, just like the larger first batch.
My favourite plate from Elk Island National Park. Shot on Thursday last week.
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I counted up some of the FREE glass I got today. There are about
4 large sheets of 3mm
14-15 large sheets of 4mm
and a dozen so smaller sheets of 3 and 4 mm.
Most of this glass (unscratched), I can use to make Ambrotypes on, Glass up to 24x24 inches. With the 4mm thick glass I will have to take the back of the holders to prevent light leaks.
There is also some textured glass in various sizes that is not as useful but that I can probably cut down and paint, to use as background substrates for framed works.
I am unsure how much this glass is worth new but my guess is $4000-$5000 CAD. The glass is far from new, muddy, scratched and some broken but still a wonderful find for the AMBROTOS KANATA project.
I had some positive Karma today!
Thank you again Elizabeth and Keith for your kindness!!
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| In the barn |
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| On the truck |
Got my FREE GLASS!! 4-5mm thick, many very large sheets, small sheets. A variety of other glass as well. Will use it for the AMBROTOS KANATA Ambrotype project.
Thank you Elizabeth and Keith!!
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| The FREE glass locked, wrapped in carpets, locked down on the back of "THE BEAST" 1 Ton |
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.
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.“
Got me a beauty Emily Carr book today, All her collected writing. She was such a talented painter and author! I have always found her work very inspiring. Her forest scenes have been a direct influence on the Ambrotypes of forest scenes for the Ambrotos Kanata project.
The book cost $2.25 CAD at the thrift shop but retails at $40!
Got 2 new 6v batteries for the motor home Fanny. The old ones were all used up and would not hold a charge. Cost was $480 CAD, got a $40 rebate on the old batteries.
The motor home has 4 batteries. A 12v motor/ignition battery, a 12 volt in RV underneath box (2nd ignition battery? and generator starter battery). 2 6volt RV interior power batteries combined to create 12volt.
These batteries will help with longer boon-docking in remote locals while shooting AMBROTOS KANATA.
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Put a new 2000 watt inverter in Fanny the motor home. The inverter changes battery DC power to AC power. It will create a backup power source in the RV and allow higher wattage items like a toaster or other appliances, while boon docking (no AC plug in). Cost $180, glad I got it working.
The inverter will help with longer boon-docking in remote locals while shooting AMBROTOS KANATA.
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| 2000w inverter placed behind the driver seat in the RV Fanny |
Spent a bunch of money on AMBROTOS KANATA today, feel a bit bad about it, but it needed to be done. 200 grams of Silver nitrate and 2 litres of USP Collodion purchased. I have lots of Silver Nitrate but with the $72 in FED EX shipping costs I decided to order some more. The shipping cost remained the same with no silver or with 200 grams.
Total cost $1064 CAD, at lot of money when your retired and unemployed. I hope I can sell some plates this year to offset costs somewhat.
"Fanny" the motor home is getting ready for the road. Doing cleaning, adding batteries, water and even did some painting! Cleaned up a wall that had silver nitrate stains on it, a new coat of paint helps make things look cleaner.
Also removed a bunch of stuff, mostly books, that were not required. Took the new cat SingSing for a look see in Fanny as well. She seems to handle the noise of the diesel engine better than Dimsum the male cat.
Hoping to take a 2 day trip to Calgary to test everything soon. Will travel without the darkroom trailer. Later on when the trailer "Freddy" is ready, will take both "Freddy and Fanny" out to make photos for the wet plate ambrotype project AMBROTOS KANATA. Hoping to do my first British Columbia photo making trip then.
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| Painted wall |
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| Cleanup in progress |
My next talk, a ZOOM is scheduled for January 2027. I have been sending out lots of emails to various clubs around the country, mostly Alberta and British Columbia. I have received maybes from photo clubs in Canmore-Alberta, Victoria-British Columbia and Prince George-British Columbia. Folks from those 3 clubs all told me they will get back to me after they speak with their membership.
Hope some of the possibles become a reality as I can then earn more money to help the people in the photographs!!
Note* Halifax-Nova Scotia has also agreed to a talk, but I am hoping to visit them and do a LIVE show, when I am working on the AMBROTOS KANATA project in Eastern Canada. So no date or type (live or ZOOM has been set).
