AMBROTYPE - ORIGINAL JAPANESE PHOTO - MEIJI PERIOD - 2 IN KIMONO - c1870-1880's

Got another Japanese Ambrotype off EBay today. The cost was $45 CAD including shipping, reasonable! The ambrotype is not in the best of shape but I find it hypnotic

What I wrote about it with a online friend...

"This ambrotype is like looking into the past...want to do the same thing with my KANATA portrait work..hopefully 140 years after those pictures are taken viewers will look at the images and wonder about the lives living inside the glass."

Assuming of course they do not all end in the trash!

AMBROTYPE- ORIGINAL JAPANESE PHOTO, MEIJI PERIOD-2 IN KIMONA-c1870-1880s

Bought Me A Neck Brace Stand

Getting a new neck brace stand for wet plate photographer. Photographer and builder Andrey Badeev in the Ukraine. The stand is a modern build of an authentic original design from the 1800s. The cost is $600 USD. My plan is to use it for 10-15 years on the KANATA photographic wet plate project. One huge advantage is these original type stands are heavy (15kg-33 pounds) and solidly made, meaning they will not accidentally move when in use. The other advantage of this unit is that it can be used with standing figures up to  190cm. This unit is expensive but it is one of those items you need to have. If I get some good portraits out of the stand, then the cost is well worth it.

Note* I am also ordering a 11x14 wet plate holder from this same builder. The holder will be coming in the months ahead, the stand should be ready in 10-14 days.
Note** These type stands are used to help avoid movement during long exposure times.

Wet Plate Neck-Head Stand

Quote: John A Macdonald (The First Prime Minister Of Canada)

“I have reason to believe that the agents as a whole … are doing all they can, by refusing food until the Indians are on the verge of starvation, to reduce the expense,”

First Ambrotype On Clear Glass, A Success!!

from Facebook...

An exciting day! I tried to make my first ambrotype today, it worked, I GOT AN IMAGE!! This is the first time I have poured collodion (flowed a plate) on glass and the first time I have tried to make an ambrotype of any kind. The end photo is a 8x10 clear glass ambrotype.

The collodion pour (flowing a plate) was a bit of a mess, harder than on metal. The collodion sort of went everywhere including the back of the glass. Feel happy to get an image thou. I got an image and the collodion did not come off the plate in the silver bath. Two bonuses for a first try! I edged the plate with albumen (egg white), which probably helped things somewhat.

As you can see I am quite excited!! Going up to 35x35 is going to be tough!! But we (me and all my online helpers) should get there in 4 or 5 years. In my dreams I can see this happening up all over Canada, small, large and ultra large ambrotypes of Canada, and its people, for KANATA.

A good day!! "Ain't Photography Grand!!"

14 second exposure, QQC Collodion, Vinegar Developer, 8x10 Clear Glass Ambrotype. Eddie Camera (Deardorff 8x10) with 250mm Fujinon lens at F6.7.

Note* An ambrotype is a photo on glass, using the wet plate collodion process. Wet plate collodion dates back to 1851 and was invented by Frederick Scott Archer.

Note** This is also the first attempt at a  wet plate portrait in available light and first use of that neck/head brace device thingy! Day of firsts. Hopefully weather permitting tomorrow will be a day of seconds!

Amobrype #1, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, July 4 2020

THE PEOPLE UNDER THE FREEWAY, Published In Online Magazine "Shades Of Grey"

THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE UNDER THE FREEWAY is in the current online issue of "Shades of Grey" Magazine. You can get your copy of the magazine here.

Note* In their last issue "Shades of Grey" published, THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE UNDER THE FREEWAY.

https://shadesofgreymagazine.com/

Note* Even thou Thailand is open again, with Covid-19 causing so much damage it does not look like I will be photographing under the freeway for a long time.

Dui 35, Under the Freeway, Bangkok, Thailand, 2018

Video On Vimeo: Fixing a 4x5 Tintype Of Days Deardorff

Here is a link to the fixing video for the 4x5 Deardorff photo below.

FIXING VIDEO OF 4X5 DEARDORFF TINTYPE

 

Today's Wet Plate

from Facebook...

First attempt of the day a guessed 20 second exposure with the Graflex and f5.6 lens. The white trailer with white hard to see. Will now try a 15 second exposure. Looking forward to getting on the road and making real photos, this practice stuff, photo thing, sorta sucks. The wet plate process remains a joy thou. Temp of chemicals, trailer and outside around 15C.

Going pretty well today. Here is the 4th image of the day. Photo of dads Deardorff inside the trailer. http://gerryyaum.blogspot.com/2014/05/darkroom.html

Fixer video of dads Deardorff photo. Was able to wipe off the scum (veiling?) on the photo with a cotton ball.

Was able to wipe off the scum (veiling?) on the photo with a cotton ball.

8x10 Dad Deardorff and 4x5 Graflex Super D

First plate

Graflex Super D

Cheapo Neck Stand

Last Weeks Wet Plate Work

Here are last weeks efforts, 4x5 tintypes. I varnished them last. Am improving the varnishing thing but still have a ways to go. The varnish is too thick in one corner in 2 of these plates. I plan on trying my first 8x10 tintypes and MAYBE even my first 8x10 Ambrotype this week. Depends on the weather, rain is forecast here until at least the weekend.

The cart is QQC Collodion, the other 2 Poe Boy Collodion (longer exposure times 45 seconds plus). These are my first attempts at shooting in daylight, earlier pics were with a Speedotron Flash.

Poe Boy Exposure was 45 seconds, using a F2.5 178mm lens.

QQC, exposure was 15 seconds, using a F2.5 178mm lens.

Poe Boy, exposure was 2 minutes 30 seconds, Poe Boy Exposure was 45 seconds, using a F2.5 178mm lens. Movement is from wind.

Quote: Montgomery Clift (Actor)

"The only line that's wrong in William Shakespeare is 'holding a mirror up to nature'. You hold a magnifying glass up to nature. As an actor, you just enlarge it enough so that your audience can identify with the situation. If it were a mirror, we would have no art."

Quote: Chief Dan George

My Kijiji Workshops, Fun Classes

Here as some links to my "Darkroom Workshop" and my "Wet Plate Fun Day". Money earned from these classes will go towards the RV I will need to do the KANATA 10-15 year cross Canada wet plate project. Looking to eventually raise around $30 000 - 40 000 CAD for a RV, currently sitting at $381 CAD, so got a ways to go!! :)

Note* Advertising in both Calgary and Edmonton. Through the last 5 years or so I have taught about 30 workshops.

Note* Will probably add a view camera workshop soon. Offered it a few years back and it was very popular.

Darkroom Workshop
Collodion Wet Plate Fun Day

Japanese Interment Camps Canada

Another subject I hope to photograph in KANATA.

Japanese Internment Camps In Canada

Canadian Encyclopedia Japanese Interment Camps 

Residential School Locations In Canada

One of the subjects I hope to photograph in KANATA. Canada's program of residential schools in the country. A program that killed many children and destroyed many lives.

Residential School Locations In Canada

Costs For Wet Plate Mounting

Did another buy of chemicals from Antique Pictureology in Nova Scotia today. The costs are mounting. I added another $612.35 CAD bill. Last week did a bit Ethyl Ether and Hypo buy for wet plate.

Bought me

- 200 grams of Silver Nitrate
- 4x500ml bottles of Collodion USP
- Pyrogallic Acid

Beefore I am completed KANATA, tens of thousands of dollars will be spent, possibly 100s of thousands. I hope I can recover some of that money back in wet plate/darkroom/large format camera workshops and in print sales (the big unknown!).

Video: Inside Trailer Under Safelight

A video made up yesterday.

Safe Light Lit Interior Shots Of The New Darkroom Trailer

Some photos from inside the trailer during the first use yesterday. The safe light is only coming from the red filtered (not rubylith) door window. It was a joy to work in the trailer. Great height in the space, power (listened to tunes on my $12 stereo), secured table working area.

I need to to add more battery operated safe lights , add selves, fix up the sink some, add a roof standing area for tripod mounting/photo making, fix the man door lock, add a exhaust fan. I might also look into adding a small a/c unit and a screen door of some kind (to help prevent mass insect invasions when I am shooting up in Northern Canada. Also need to finish the black curtain system to block all light. No more black plastic bags taped to the roof and walls.

So far I love working in my new darkroom trailer. Yesterday's wet plate work was wonderful even thou I was making silly photographs. It is exciting to imagine what the future might hold. Imagine being in the field somewhere in Canada (KANATA) making important work, photography that matters, now that would be extra exciting and so life affirming! That type thing gives life meaning.

Trailer outside view.

Table working area.

Collion, water, silver bath and 2 fixers

Sink and work areas.

Add captionHalf assed plastic bags taped to the roof. Blocking light from the roof vent.

Darkroom Workshop And Wet Plate In Trailer!!

A good day. First I taught a darkroom workshop. Then I went outside to the darkroom trailer and did the specific gravity on my 2 silver baths. After getting the baths done I did up 10 or 4x5 tintypes. I used both Poe Boy and Quinn quick clear collodion. This is the first time I did wet plate in the trailer and the first time I did wet plate in outdoor available light!!!!!!

WHAT A JOY IT WAS, I LOVED EVERY SECOND!!

Note* I need to do a better job teaching my darkroom workshops, today I feel I failed. I need to slow things down and explain things better, be more patient.

Note** The Poe Boy collodion is much slower than Quinn Quick Clear. I was doing exposures of around 2 minutes 30 seconds with PB and using the same gear exposures of 2-6 seconds with QQC. Very different speeds, not sure why. The Poe Boy created nice images thou, I kind of like it. With that super slow speed I am not sure it can work in the field. I wonder if I invent my own type of Collodion. Thinking of Poe Boys alcohol mix along with Quinn Quick Clear salts (Cadmium Bromide, and Ammonium Iodide instead of Potassium Bromide and Potassium Iodide). Someone probably invented-tried that already, still might be worth a go.
Note** Also checked the specific gravity (using my new hydrometer) of my 2 silver baths and added Silver Nitrate AgNO3 and distilled water as needed. It all worked well.

Today's learning-work

Some Steps Forward Today

Well figured out a couple of things today, took some small steps forward.

The hydrometer I bought off E-Bay was the wrong type. I think it is designed for denser liquids.  I went down today to a local wine beer making shop and spoke to the knowledgeable fellow there, he recommended another type of hydrometer. I bought his choice, tested it, and it works fine (see photos). It works as I thought a hydrometer should work and as my wet plate Facebook friends told me it should. So now I can check the specific gravity of my 2 silver baths and add distilled water or silver (AgNO3)as needed. Will do that tonight.

The second step forward is my artificial light sunning device that I picked up for $25 at Goodwill yesterday, works!  Yesterday I had sunned my silver (cloudy day) for around 4 hours and filtered it, thinking it was pretty clean. Last night I re-sunned the same 2 silver baths under my artificial light source ("Daylight 10000 Classic") for around 10 hours. I had a lot more black organic material form. It seems the artificial light source actually did a better sunning job compared to leaving it outside under the cloudy sky. It is hard to judge how much better it was as the time under the different light sources was quite different, 4 hours versus 10 hours. It sure was a lot easier to do the artificial source sunning. No worries about people, animals or changes in weather affecting my expensive silver. I just locked everything up in my darkroom trailer and turn on the power switch, easy speezy!

Now I am re-filtering 2 silver baths, see photos. I have it rigged up on a stand allowing me to multitask (Thanks Quinn J for that idea).

Anyway a good couple of steps forward. The major wet plate project KANATA seems more doable all the time. It is slowly leaving the category of dream world and entering the, "YES THIS CAN BE DONE THING!!"

I will approach KANATA as a social documentary type project (the type of photography I love). I plan on photographing important subjects, like  the destructive genocidal First Nations Residential Schools as well as old battle sights -grave yards etc. I also hope to photograph First Nations reserve areas (if I can make friends and get permission). I  wish to photograph the areas where the Japanese were interned during the second world war and parts of the cross country railway lines where Chinese labour was used. This project needs to paint a accurate, true picture of Canada, the good and the bad. I will of course do the beauty spots along the coasts, the national parks, Niagra Falls, places like that as well. Will be making portraits of people from all the different cultures, races, religions across Canada.

I know that's a pretty tall order, but hell, impossible actually but I got to give it a try! Got to take my shot before they burn me up and place me in an urn! I would much rather live with failure then live with regret. So lets reach for the stars!

Covered The Trailer Window

Not sure this is going to work but I put a double layer of red filter material (got off amazon) on the door and a 1 1/2  layer filter on the window (ran out). I still need to cover the white plastic roof vent somehow. I was going to paint it red but do not have a ladder to get that high at my house. Will figure something out.

I might replace this filter material with darker rubylith if I can find it or I might just cover all the windows with dark cloth. The dark cloth idea is probably best.

Will test this amazon red filter stuff as soon as I can. I am having a few issues with checking my silver baths specific gravity. I think I have the wrong type hydrometer. Things are coming together SLOWLY!

Red filter material on door and window

Sunning Indoors And

Am attempting to SUN my silver in the trailer now, using the daylight device I bought yesterday. Al setup my neck brace stand. It is sort of half assed and not heavy enough. This will do for now, will get a better device head movement support device later.

Attempt at sunning silver under artifical light

Neck brace stand

Possible Artificial Light For Sunning Silver

Got a "Daylight 10000 Classic" light source for $25 from Goodwill.

I have been looking for a light source to SUN my wet plate silver nitrate bath. Sunning exposes the silver bath to UV light which is part of a cleaning process, part of maintaining a healthy bath. After sunning little black particles (organic material in the bath) are formed and drop to the bottom of the glass container, which you then can filter out of your bath.

You can of course SUN  silver in the actual sun or under cloudy skies (there is still UV light on cloudy days). But I also wanted the option of sunning the silver on rainy days and at. night. Being a night guard I am sort of a night owl on my days off, so having the ability to sun the silver inside the darkroom trailer at night as I do other things in the trailer and house, is a real bonus. An artificial light source will allow more flexibility. It will also be good to have later on when I am on the road doing KANATA (cross Canada long term photo project). If I have a power source, I can sun all night in the trailer while sleeping in my RV, then wake up early in the morning and filter my silver for same day use.

Will this $25 CAD unit a try to see if it works, if not, will use the unit as a light table.

Daylight 10000 Classic