Anger Does No Good

I get angry way too fast. I do not like that part of my personality. I had a flare up with a steroid filled dude who started a confrontation in a parking lot today, lost my temper, ending up calling him a bonehead! He threatened me, then left to get something from his car (a weapon?), so I drove away. I do not like losing my temper, losing control.  Do not like those angry emotions, then later on the feelings of regret.

I need to make some changes. I need to control negative emotions better. I will start doing my Buddhist meditation again, maybe that will help. Years ago I did 2 years of mediation and that relaxed, soothed my heart and mind. Also am  going to stop all my online political contents against Donald Trump, that stuff just fuels anger and bitterness in my heart. Fighting Trump and the people who stand behind him has built up lots of negative emotions inside me.

Anger solvers nothing.

Wet Plate Holder For Deardorff

Years back when I started my wet plate photography dreams I purchased a 8x10 wet plate back for my 8x10 Deardorff. The seller missed doing a small straight cut on the back of the holder so I could never mount this thing to my camera.

Since I am on the road now to learning wet plate, I thought it was a good time to get this little unit into service. I brought the camera and holder to work tonight to see if I could make the cut and mount the holder to the back of the Deardorff.

This 8x10 Deardorff has a special meaning for me, it is a gift from my father. I hope to use his Deardorff to make some important KANATA ambrotypes and negatives. Every time I see the camera I think of dad, having it out in the field with me across Canada is comforting.

I have a variety of plastic format size inserts for this holder. I will probably be doing 8x10 size most often.

Note* Way back when I thought of naming my 8x10 Deardorff "Eddie" as a tribute to dad (his nickname). I think I will go back to that now. I hope "Eddie" and I can make some great photos together.

Note** I might give 8x10 wet plate (tintype) a try next week off. I am jumping forward a bit, but kind of getting bored with 4x5 tintypes. Also want to try to do ambrotypes as soon as I can. I will hold off on that for a while yet, as there are many more complications when moving to glass.

Note*** Just measured the 2 extra plastic format size inserts I got with this wet plate holder. They measure 7x7 inches and 8.5x 8.5 inches. I have always like square format photos, there is a Zen like quality to them. With this one holder I can now make 7x7, 8.5x8.5 and 8x10 tintypes and ambrotypes. BONUS!!!

Dads Deardorff "Eddie" And New Holder

Deardorff, holder. Black mark, marks the cutting spot

What My Final KANATA Dream Prints, MIGHT!! Look Like

Here are some thoughts on a basically unachievable dream.

Been thinking a lot lately about the possible final look of my KANATA project photographs. Originally, years back, I was planning simply to make tintypes but that quickly changed to clear glass ambrotypes. I later also added large 20x24 film images. My latest plans have evolved to include wet plate collodion negatives to the mix.

Currently (subject to my changing whims) I am thinking of doing the following with KANATA. This is what I hope to eventually exhibit in major galleries across Canada.

- Ambrotypes on clear glass in sizes, 4x5, 5x7, 8x10, 16x20, 20x24, 27x 35 and 35x35. I would reverse the glass of the ambrotype (so everything is right way forward) then paint the glass with Asphaltum (gives a blackish background to the ambrotype).

- 8x10, 16x20 and 20x24 film photographs, later printed as silver gelatin contact prints or platinum palladium prints.

- Wet plate collodion negatives in 4x5, 5x7, 8x10, 16x20, 20x24, 27x35 and 35x35 sizes. these GLASS negs would later be contact printed in various forms. I am thinking more and more of doing CARBON TRANSFER PRINTS on both paper and glass.

As you can see lots of variables, lots of options. Heck none of this might happen but am currently planning to proceed as above. Most likely my eventual image choices will be refined and changed with time. After all I have never made a wet plate negative in my life, or a carbon tranfer print :)!

My dreams are filled with so many possiblities. In my minds eye, I can see the final images hanging in the National Gallery of Canada. 50 huge 27x35 landscapes and portraits of Canada. Beautiful carbaon transfer prints mounted on glass, images that are made from wet plate collodion negatives! ITS GOING TO BE FUCKING AMAZING!!

"Ain't Photography Grand!!"

Note* KANATA is a 10-15 year cross Canada photography project which speaks to WHAT IS CANADA? I hope to photograph the good, bad, beautiful and ugly of the Canada as a country.

Ethyl Ether, Sodium Thiosulfate, Potassium Dichromate Buy, From Prolab Scientific Inc.

Did a bigger buy of 2 chemicals I need for my wet plate work and 1 for the new Planned Carbon Transfer work. I found a company out of Quebec selling the Ether, will give them a try. Their 1000 ml cans at $92.45 CAD are a quite a bit cheaper than my original source for Ethyl Ether, $75 CAD for 500 ml cans.

- Ethyl Ether, 1000 ml containers x 3 = $274.80 CAD - Used in wet plate photography

- Sodium Thiosulfate (Hypo) 2.5 kg x 3 for $166.80 CAD - Used in wet plate photography

- Potassium Dichromate - 500 grams for $92.45. CAD - Used in Carbon Transfer Print making

Total with taxes, shipping and a $40 dangerous good fields = $647.33 CAD


I will also need to buy some  Collodion USP non flexible 4-5% solution in the next while. I can find only 1 Canadian source for this chemical. That source is currently out of stock. I might have to order out of Bostick and Sullivan in the States, not sure how much the extra border charges will be. One  advantage buying there is that B&S sells 4 liter sized cans. If I buy 2 of those large cans, I will have collodion for a long time. During my planned longer trips and photo journeys across Canada I will need a ton of ether and collodion, assuming I go with a ether based collodion. 35x35 inch plates will eat that stuff up!

Here is the Canadian company I ordered from today. These dangerous goods are only shipped within Canada.

https://prolabscientific.com/

Note* I bought the Ether in 1000 ml cans so that I could mix up iodizer for my collodion direct from the can, using 1 can at a time. The danger from Ether comes when you open the can and reseal it. If you use it all at one time and make an iodizer (a mixture of Ether, Alcohol and salts) you neutralize the Ethyl Ether making it safe.

Quote: George Orwell

Truth is treason in the Empire of Lies"       

Quote: Lee Maracle (Sto:Loh Nation - Canadian Poet)

Speaking about the residential school system in Canada.

"I do not understand how one group of people can attempt to erase the culture of another...But I do understand the crippling effect this had on each and every one of us."

3rd Wet Plate Attempt

Tonight was night 3 of my wet plate collodion adventure. The collodion seemed more fragile , not sure why. Sometimes small pieces would come off the plate when I poured on the developer or used water to stop development. Possibly because I was being too aggressive or using too much fluid volume on the collodion.

On walk last night I found a dead crow. The bird was gutted and eaten up, with a detached wing and only 1 foot. When I set it up for pics I found an added attraction, MAGGOTS, they kept on leaving the body and crawling across the table between plates!
This dead animal theme might be a continuing subject for KANATA ((cross country Canada wet plate project) so tonight’s efforts were instructional. Bringing some beauty back to, and remembering a fallen little crow seems important some how. Important In a small way. I am glad I photographed my crow tonight.

This dead animal theme might be a continuing subject for KANATA ((cross country Canada wet plate project) so tonight’s efforts were instructional. Bringing some beauty back to, and remembering a fallen little crow seems important some how. Important In a small way. I am glad I photographed my crow tonight.

Note* Tonight's goof was loosing my 4x5 plate in the silver bath! Boy am I a clumsy dude!

Note** Just posted the varnished 4x5s. I improved a bit in the varnishing but still some work there. I think there is some veiling on these, possibly from developing to long (correct?). Think it is a small step in the right direction. Froze the Crow and its separate wing (not photographed last night). Will try to shoot it again later when I am doing ambrotypes and negatives. Would like to do an 8x10 wet plate neg on this and then try to do a Carbon Transfer Print on Glass (also a new process). Am currently thinking of not only doing Ambrotypes for KANATA but also negs (film and wet plate) to later do Carbon Transfer prints. Am filtering the Silver Bath now, it kind of looks dirty.

Note*** Thanks Jonathan. As mentioned earlier this might do a running series on animals in the future, road kills of deer etc, whatever I can find on the journeys. I like the idea of keeping a piece of these poor creatures alive (in away), recorded, before they are gone forever.

- Graflex Camera
- 4x5 Tintype
- Speedodron 4800W flash
- Quinn Quick Clear Collodion
- Vinegar developer

Various 4x5 tintype crow photos

Set up for the crow photos

2nd Wet Plate Attempt

2nd attempt at Tin Type. Had lots of problems getting the varnish right, and kept dropping these tiny plates all night.

- Graflex 4x5 Super D camera, F5.6
- 4800 watt Speedotron with the power dialed back to -0.75
- Quinn Quick Clear Collodion
- 3 minutes Silver Bath
- Vinegar Developer

Baba's funeral cross and crucifix, Canada 2020

Camera set up with flash

Night 2 Of Plate Making

Did another series of 4x5 the tintypes tonight.i likes the tonality of the plates. One basic set up. I just played with the exposure and people practiced mycologists dion pours and development. Plates are in the wash. Here is my shooting set up. Shot with a Graflex camera (the Speed Graphic is behind it on the second tripod), allowing me to shoot at F 5.6 but could not get as close.

Graflex 4x5 Super D with Speedotron 4800 Watt

First Plates

FIRST TRY TINTYPES, here is one that I think I like best, lots of mistakes of course...not sure I would use the 178mm that close, the depth of field is so shallow..also probably camera shake as I did not have lens cap..only pushed in and out the dark slide...lots of gunk on the plates as well...need to dust them before varnishing.. need to lay the plate down flat after varnishing to dry..LOTS OF MISTAKES...the various marks and stuff on the plate, not sure why..but heck I got an image! first time out, so am happy with that....onward and upwards...I HOPE!.....2 years from now when KANATA will be starting, hopefully the technique part will be better.

QUINN QUICK CLEAR COLLODION with 178mm Ektar lens at f2.5, full bellows extension.. Speedotron Flash..Vinegar Developer (I think, need to start marking the plates before use)

Baba's cross and crucifix, Tintype, Canada 2020

My first plates

First Wet Plate Photos!

Well I did my first wet plate work from chemistry I mixed by hand. IT WORKED! haha :) Loads of fun and it worked! The plates (first time I have used that word) are washing now. I will try posting then in a day or two. Got to do my first varnishing on them as well.
Here is what I did.

-I made small 4x5 tintypes using my Speed Graphic and 178mm f2.5 Aero Ektar lens (tiny depth of field). Might try my Graflex next time and do a portrait.
- Subject was a still life of a cross and rosy that was part of my grand mothers funeral. The cross was on her coffin and the rosary in her hand during the funeral ceremony.
- I worked with 2 collodions (got images on both). Quinn's Quick Clear and Poe Boy.
- I shot at night in using a Speedotron 4800 flash unit.
- I used 2 types of developer a normal Ferrous Sulfate and a Quinn's Vinegar version developer.

Most everything seemed to work. I had some exposure issues which I mostly solved by adjusting the flash power. I had other problems of course. Pouring mistakes, dropped a plate face down after the pour. Have lots of weird marking stuff going on the plate as well, not 100% sure what they are and why they are happening. But who cares! I am a beginner and am a very happy with my first attempts! Years of learning ahead of course and wet plate on glass Ambrotyes and glass Negatives is a whole higher level. Going large also is a major step up, as is working at different temperatures.

Bit by bit we are going to get this done thou. After all, I have to rationalize the big trailer buy, the big camera buy, the multiple big lens buys :) And the 500 other buys!

The Poe Boy Collodion required one hell of a lot more exposure compared to the Quinn Quick Clear collodion. With QQC I exposed at 4800 W with 2 flash heads and dialed back the Speedotron flash to -2. With the Poe Boy I had to use full power and pop the flashes 3 times (that is a lot more light, a LOT LOT more light).

Note* My thinking on the Poe Boy Collodion and the Vinegar developer is to allow ease of use, cheaper use, chemistry more easy to find use, later on when I go Ultra Large Format and am making 35 inch ambrotypes and maybe making negatives on glass.

Poe Boy does not use extra ether and does not uses cheaper salts plus no Cadmium. If I can work out a working system for that type Collodion I will be ahead of the game. No need to buy extra ether (difficult) no need to use Cadmium Bromide (safer). The longer wet times because of more alcohol might also help me when I am working with 35x35 plates, more time to get things done.
I want good plates with a look I like. If I can achieve that by cutting Ether and Cadmium all the better, if it does not work I will just use QQC Collodion and dump the Poe Boy. It is worth a try, I am a newby what do I care! One of the fun things about about this whole wet plate thingy, is you follow rules others have taught you but you can also make some of your own!

The Vinegar developer is sort of the same idea. Not sure how practical the formula is, but white vinegar is available in any grocery most anywhere in Canada, Glacial Acetic Acid is not. So the thinking there is I can get that ingredient as I need on the road anywhere in Canada, it simplifies things. that is assuming I can get the developer to work. I can be up in the Canadian North, in the middle of nowhere and go buy Vinegar for my developer. I like that idea.

I will try to find the best working systems for this KANATA project which will last 10-15 years (not started it yet). SO FAR SO GOOD!

Update* I am happy, this all seems DO-ABLE now. It is very early but I believe, at least today I believe, that I will be able to chase down my KANATA wet plate dreams!! Look out Canada, here I come!

"Ain't Photography Grand!!"

Give Peace A Chance

Been having a lot of discussions with numerous people on Facebook about men of peace dying violently. Lots of folks seem to underplaying the importance of non violence and want to jump into violence to fight the Trump world, or at least hinting at it. This is wrong on so many levels. Here is one of those discussions (I am doing most of the blabbing like normal!).

 -------------------------------------------

BB

When people want protestors to be peaceful like Martin Luther King and Ghandi let me remind you that they were both assassinated. So was Malcolm X.

LWR

Truth

Gerry Yaum yes but that does not matter...what matters is how they lived their lives....the examples they set, the leadership they gave....peace and love ...nonviolence is the example they lived by..imagine how many millions of Indians and how many thousands of British would have died in India if Gandhi would have been an leader who promoted violence as a solution, imagine how much more bloody the the civil rights movement would have been in the States if King had fought that way....so many more deaths. so much more blood...more recently imagine what would have happened in South Africa if Nelson Mandela had lead with anger, revenge and murder at the turnover from white to black control of the country instead of leading with reconciliation and forgiveness. Love, kindness, non violence works, it saves lives.

Gerry Yaum Here is another man who believed in non violence, but died violently...does that matter? yes it is sad, especially to his wife and children but his message, his life lives on in such a beautiful and positive way, because he was a man of LOVE AND PEACE..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkgkThdzX-8

Quote: Jimmy Kimmel

"White privilege doesn't mean your life hasn't been hard, it just means the color of your skin isn't one of the things that makes it harder."

Quotes: Joe Biden

"I won't traffic in fear and division. I won't fan the flames of hate. I'll seek to heal the racial wounds that have long plagued our country, not use them for political gain. I'll do my job and I'll take responsibility -- I won't blame others,"

"'I can't breathe. I can't breathe.' George Floyd's last words. But they didn't die with him. They're still being heard. They're echoing across this nation."

Quote: Malcolm X

"There are Muslims here of all colors and from every part of this earth. During the past days here in Mecca (Jeddah, Mina, and Mustaliph) while understanding the rituals of the Hajj, I have eaten. From the same plate, drank from the same glass and slept on the same bed or rug – with Kings, potentates and other forms of rulers – ******* with fellow Muslims whose skin was the whitest of white, whose eyes was the bluest of blue, and whose hair was the blondest of blond – I could look into their blue eyes and see that they regarded me as the same (Brothers), because their faith in One God (Allah) had actually removed “white” from their mind, which automatically changed their attitude and their behaviour (towards) people of other colors. Their beliefs in the Oneness as made them so different from American whites that their colors played no part in my mind in my dealing with them. Their sincere."

SUKHUMVIT AT NIGHT (Old Photos)

SUKHUMVIT AT NIGHT is a late entry return into that world shot in 2018-19. A different look at a familiar subject. Sukhumvit is a major Bangkok road that is always hustling.