View Full Version : A thread for images made with dry plates
Nodda Duma
24-Jan-2018, 08:00
Hi folks,
There was some discussion in my dry plates thread about a dedicated thread for sharing pictures off of newly available dry plates, so I started one here. Hopefully we can post results from all plate sizes (since 9x12, 1/4 plates, and even sixth plates are technically smaller than 4x5 but are larger than medium format). If there's looting and burning in the streets in protest to this approach, then I can start a separate thread for smaller plate sizes.. but hopefully we can capture everything here since there's just not a lot of plate users out there.
MODERATOR'S NOTE (added Jan 28): We're going to stick with our standard definitions, so pictures made with LF (9x12/4x5 and larger) plates can go here, but anyone is also welcome to open a dry-plate thread in the "Everything Else" image-sharing subforum for pictures made with smaller plates. Thanks, and carry on!
Please post plate size, source of your plate, etc., if you could along with any other technical info you'd like to add.
Thanks!
I will start.
Potanipo Lighthouse,
4"x5"
J. Lane Dry Plates, Batch #3
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4339/36894309206_161189f725_b.jpg
Tin Can
24-Jan-2018, 08:47
Jason,
A question. Is the curl in the lower left from your fingers handling the plate?
Not a concern, just want to know if I expect too much from my own fingers.
I regularly shoot 2-1/4 X 3-1/4 and 3-1/4 X 4-1/4 sheet film. Those formats are excluded from the current LFPF definition of Large Format.
Just sayin...
Nodda Duma
24-Jan-2018, 09:04
No it was from the emulsion lifting during the development process. I don't touch the emulsion when it's wet.
AuditorOne
24-Jan-2018, 11:11
First 4x5 glass plate negative.
Wanderlust Travelwide, SK Angulon 90/6.8, 1 second at f16.
174014
Nice one AuditorOne!
So the silly thing is my favorite "photo" thus far, playing with these new plates, is this abstract that was more of a happy accident:
"Two Tree"
http://www.garrisaudiovisual.com/photosharing/glassplate-9171ss.jpg
Mounting it with a bit of space between the plate and a white backing gives a cool 3D effect between the plate and shadow from the lighting.
Tin Can
24-Jan-2018, 13:45
AuditorOne
Nice!
Bryan, I think we need a lot more images beyond form.
The only way I could spit that out. I mean less identifiable shapes, like trees, people and light bulbs.
Peter De Smidt
24-Jan-2018, 13:54
That's wild, Bryan!
Randy, my brain "saw" this image as two trees...but upside down, it looks kind of like a waterfall, which is symptomatic of how it was "created." I'm not quite sure I follow you - do you think it would be more interesting with no "connotations" and left to the viewer's imagination instead of mine? I could see that, and agree to some extent. I am wondering if I can make more of these types of "images." I messed up this plate, which was a photo of a leaf, and then started rubbing the plate with my thumb under warm water, which caused this eventually.
Nodda Duma
24-Jan-2018, 14:34
The potential for abstract imagery is something I would have never guessed at in a thousand years. I think that's awesome and opens up a whole new world. I would love to see that in a print.
The potential for abstract imagery is something I would have never guessed at in a thousand years. I think that's awesome and opens up a whole new world. I would love to see that in a print.
Well, Leo Fender never dreamed that his new guitar amps would be pushed into distortion, and loved for it... ;-)
Look at those Polaroid manipulators...
Steve K
The potential for abstract imagery is something I would have never guessed at in a thousand years. I think that's awesome and opens up a whole new world. I would love to see that in a print.
An interesting idea. This is actually a "positive" scan so I'd have to contact print it to film perhaps and then print from that "negative," or send out the scan to be burned onto film.
If history is correct, about the time you nail this process, George Eastman will buy your company out...
FYI/ moving from a small to medium scale production is a bear!!!
Steve K
Tin Can
24-Jan-2018, 15:12
Randy, my brain "saw" this image as two trees...but upside down, it looks kind of like a waterfall, which is symptomatic of how it was "created." I'm not quite sure I follow you - do you think it would be more interesting with no "connotations" and left to the viewer's imagination instead of mine? I could see that, and agree to some extent. I am wondering if I can make more of these types of "images." I messed up this plate, which was a photo of a leaf, and then started rubbing the plate with my thumb under warm water, which caused this eventually.
Yes, yes and yes.
More rubbing!
I am the guy who hates listening to another's description of 'Art or Life or Reality'. At a Modern Art Museum, I ignore all data provided in print or audio. I use my 6 senses. I don't read movie reviews before seeing a movie. I try to examine the World, Humans and Art without someone's filter. Their filter is often cracked and useless.
One lesson I slowly learned in Art school, you are ready to leave when you throw your advisers out of your studio. Literally. They are invading your space. Eureka is close to the feeling.
None of this means or makes one an Art Star. I saw a spark once.
We definitely are out of time. Shake our Earth if you can.
Great post, thanks. I have oftentimes thought there was too much verbiage on an abstract/modernist piece of art when at a museum/gallery.
I remember years ago at the MOMA in NY seeing an installation that was simply an electronic fan suspended from the ceiling, which whooshed around the foyer area. Small children ran around chasing the thing, which was just high enough to prevent anyone from touching it (well, hopefully some NBA players doesn't stop by :)). I continue to think about that work when I think of what is art?
Tin Can
24-Jan-2018, 16:08
I'm a big Fan of Robert Irwin the artist, not the photographer.
His art installations became almost invisible. They had to put up wires to keep people from walking into the art. I have only seen 2 of his works.
Words, books and pictures don't capture what 'experiencing' his art is/was. Mysterious light perhaps.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Irwin_(artist) has words.
Great post, thanks. I have oftentimes thought there was too much verbiage on an abstract/modernist piece of art when at a museum/gallery.
I remember years ago at the MOMA in NY seeing an installation that was simply an electronic fan suspended from the ceiling, which whooshed around the foyer area. Small children ran around chasing the thing, which was just high enough to prevent anyone from touching it (well, hopefully some NBA players doesn't stop by :)). I continue to think about that work when I think of what is art?
really beautiful image bryan !
=
i made a contact print in the dark with this plate and one that i had from before ...
then i scanned and added some color as i was channeling in arshile gorkey.
jason's plates are really nice !
Thanks, and very interesting result on yours with the added color. I am mostly interested these days in making b&w silver prints, so I'm not playing much with color, but I wonder if you could do something similar with color paper and light painting. A friend of mine did some of that with color paper and gels and made some beautiful images - one is hanging in my house.
tanks bryan !
yeah im on the other side of the street these days
and adding color to things ..
William Whitaker
25-Jan-2018, 07:25
Nice one AuditorOne!
So the silly thing is my favorite "photo" thus far, playing with these new plates, is this abstract that was more of a happy accident:
"Two Tree"
http://www.garrisaudiovisual.com/photosharing/glassplate-9171ss.jpg
Definitely looks like the "Haunted Forest" to me. Should be great for Halloween!
AuditorOne
25-Jan-2018, 10:19
really beautiful image bryan !
=
i made a contact print in the dark with this plate and one that i had from before ...
then i scanned and added some color as i was channeling in arshile gorkey.
jason's plates are really nice !
Arshile would have been proud John.
Arshile would have been proud John.
thanks ! :)
Nice one AuditorOne!
So the silly thing is my favorite "photo" thus far, playing with these new plates, is this abstract that was more of a happy accident:
"Two Tree"
http://www.garrisaudiovisual.com/photosharing/glassplate-9171ss.jpg
Mounting it with a bit of space between the plate and a white backing gives a cool 3D effect between the plate and shadow from the lighting.
Try photographing this plate under cross-polarized light in color or B/W to see what happens...
And try dark field illumination...
Steve K
Nodda Duma
26-Jan-2018, 18:45
When I start hardening emulsion, I think Bryan's type of abstract image will be much more difficult to do.
So I could always ensure a non-hardened emulsion is available.
Steve, I don't have large polarizing gels for my lights, and actually all but one of my Speedotron heads needs repair...would that setup have any difference compared to scanning? The dark field illumination just reverses the 'image' right? I can see a "positive" image from these plates when held up with reflected light off a black background.
Jason, I am tempted to go and start developing plates exposed to just light and playing with the emulsion to see what I come up with, but haven't yet. If I really like the results I could always commission a special set of non-hardened emulsion plates. I figure for most usages, it would be better to have hardened emulsion. BTW, I have not used hardener in my fixer (I don't have any).
Oren Grad
28-Jan-2018, 11:45
I've moved a block of posts about plate sizes to the "New Products" thread.
This is a wonderful initiative and we wish it all success. But in the criteria that we use for managing the Forum these plates are not fundamentally different from sheet film. So let's please stick to our established rules - image threads, segregated by 4x5 or larger (LF) vs smaller than that (everything else), for pictures and discussion closely linked to the pictures; technical threads for discussion of technical issues in exposure, processing and printing of the plates; and the New Products thread for discussion of product specifications, availability, etc.
Thanks.
This is my 2nd attempt - first was a disaster :) 4X5 J. Lane Dry Plate Batch 004.
I am thrilled with how this came out.
Not sure if we are permitted to include all the data in the image sharing thread - I could not find a purely technical thread on dry plates. If someone can inform me as to including exposure and processing details here, I'll edit it.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/q4ssh8b1cj1lh2o/img862a.jpg?dl=1
Edit: Just wasn't sure due to Oren's post above, so if this is to much info I''ll re-edit.
8 1/4" Velostigmat II, ISO 2, 8 sec @ f/11, under bare trees and overcast sky's.
Rodinal 1:24 in 5X7 trays, 5 min @ 67° with agitation as prescribed by J. Lane.
1 min. wash - 5-6 min. hardening fix - 30 min final wash in standing water, dump and replace every 5 min.
Tin Can
28-Jan-2018, 13:35
I think I may speak.
Since yours are 4X5 or larger and this is the LF Image sharing thread traditionally we post and view any and all details a content owner desires to share. You maintain copyright at all times.
Very curious!
William Whitaker
28-Jan-2018, 14:29
This is my 2nd attempt - first was a disaster :) 4X5 J. Lane Dry Plate Batch 004.
I am thrilled with how this came out.
Neat image. It's a "thinker".... and causes one to pause and wonder. The fact that the doll's head is cropped out (or IS it? perhaps she's holding it...) makes it that much deeper. It is a doll, right?
Oren Grad
28-Jan-2018, 14:54
This is my 2nd attempt - first was a disaster :) 4X5 J. Lane Dry Plate Batch 004.
I am thrilled with how this came out.
Not sure if we are permitted to include all the data in the image sharing thread - I could not find a purely technical thread on dry plates. If someone can inform me as to including exposure and processing details here, I'll edit it.
Edit: Just wasn't sure due to Oren's post above, so if this is to much info I''ll re-edit.
8 1/4" Velostigmat II, ISO 2, 8 sec @ f/11, under bare trees and overcast sky's.
Rodinal 1:24 in 5X7 trays, 5 min @ 67° with agitation as prescribed by J. Lane.
1 min. wash - 5-6 min. hardening fix - 30 min final wash in standing water, dump and replace every 5 min.
Randy, all this is fine, thanks for sharing! If a discussion is primarily about technical issues and the pictures are few and secondary to the technical discussion, then it should go into the Darkroom: Film subforum. But no problem at all with including basic details with your picture posts - we know plenty of people are interested in that and find it helpful.
It is a doll, right?Yes Will...but I can't say that around her...
Nodda Duma
28-Jan-2018, 16:37
Thanks for sorting it out, Oren. Can you update the title to better reflect the intent of this thread to be for dry plate images?
Tin Can
28-Jan-2018, 16:56
yes will...but i can't say that around her...
lol
Oren Grad
28-Jan-2018, 17:13
Can you update the title to better reflect the intent of this thread to be for dry plate images?
Good idea, thanks for the nudge. I've renamed the thread and also added a moderator's note to your original post in hopes of minimizing any further confusion.
Tin Can
28-Jan-2018, 17:55
Good idea, thanks for the nudge. I've renamed the thread and also added a moderator's note to your original post in hopes of minimizing any further confusion.
I am still confused, as usual.
So we should post exposure tips, processing results and for ALL age Dry Plates and size here?
My latest just tested tip is: Try using a cheap plastic slotted spatula for moving plates in and out of trays. I tried it. It worked perfectly. No chance of a cut, finger caused frilling and no need for gloves.
Randy, I was struggling today trying to think of a way to get the plates out of the tray without using my fingers...good idea.
Oren Grad
28-Jan-2018, 18:14
So we should post exposure tips, processing results and for ALL age Dry Plates and size here?
If there's anything that's truly unique to plates smaller than 9x12/4x5, then it doesn't belong here. But most things that you might want to post will be broadly relevant.
That said, while a bit of back-and-forth to clarify technical specifications and procedure notes that have been posted is fine, if a discussion is carrying on for post after post about the technical issues and the picture has become more or less irrelevant, it should really go to Darkroom: Film. I think this tends to arise most often when people are showing work made with more exotic materials and processes where the methods aren't so well understood, such as paper negatives, some alt processes and now plates. But we'd like to try to keep the discussions that are primarily about materials and methods in the technical subforums and reserve the image-sharing threads for, well, image sharing.
If you would like to show a picture primarily for the purpose of pursuing a detailed discussion about technical issues that it poses for you, then best to post it in Darkroom: Film and explain clearly what the issues are and what information you're seeking.
Tin Can
28-Jan-2018, 18:30
Randy, I was struggling today trying to think of a way to get the plates out of the tray without using my fingers...good idea.
Now I need a new spatula for breakfast!
My Paterson trays have deep grooves and a little angle gets right under. I also tested in a tray with tiny ridges, that worked also. I did not try flat trays.
I was playing around with ideas and made this photograph by "contact printing" some feathers onto one of the plates, using my Nikon SB-800 flash set at 1/8 power about a foot over the plate:
http://www.garrisaudiovisual.com/photosharing/glassplate-9170ss.jpg
Tin Can
30-Jan-2018, 13:46
I was playing around with ideas and made this photograph by "contact printing" some feathers onto one of the plates, using my Nikon SB-800 flash set at 1/8 power about a foot over the plate:
http://www.garrisaudiovisual.com/photosharing/glassplate-9170ss.jpg
Nice!
Nodda Duma
30-Jan-2018, 15:44
Awesome!
Thanks Randy, Jason. I've been thinking about trying something like this for a while - the plates just make me a bit more experimental, for some reason.
AuditorOne
31-Jan-2018, 22:25
That is quite amazing Corran. Good stuff.
Nodda Duma
3-Feb-2018, 17:41
Dry Plate - Nashua River.
Graflex Speed Graphic - Rodenstock Sironar 210 f/5.6 wide open 1/2s.
HC-110 Dil B.
It was 4 Degrees F out.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180204/6e152cfccdd26367c1076caa1281bd40.jpg
Dry Plate - Nashua River.
Graflex Speed Graphic - Rodenstock Sironar 210 f/5.6 wide open 1/2s.
HC-110 Dil B.
It was 4 Degrees F out.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180204/6e152cfccdd26367c1076caa1281bd40.jpg
Nice tones!!!
But I hope you still have all your fingers!!! ;-)
Steve K
Gorgeous image. You've captured the COLD!
rrunnertexas
7-Feb-2018, 06:16
Super looking image! I think you have mastered your formula for making glass plates.
rrunnertexas
12-May-2018, 12:10
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/978/42064238881_87e7db413b_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2765dHX)GP Antique Bikes Weatherford (https://flic.kr/p/2765dHX) by rrunnertexas (https://www.flickr.com/photos/18736302@N03/), on Flickr
J. Lane Dry Plate, 4x5 shot in a 1893 Blair Hawkeye Detective camera - developed with HC-110 dil B. First shot on glass a glass plate in 4x5.
Nodda Duma
12-May-2018, 18:33
Well done!
Two J. Lane dry plate results. Both 4x5 size and shot with a Graflex Super Graphic and Optar 203mm lens:
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/975/28439641238_c3aea5ca3b_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Kk7Aw3)
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/969/42312070251_9a1b09eea2_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/27sYqmB)
andrewch59
24-May-2018, 15:42
Nice!
AuditorOne
24-May-2018, 17:44
Very nice mjork.
paulbarden
12-Jun-2018, 06:52
I think we'll be seeing a lot more photos made on Jason Lane's dry plates in the years ahead, so I'm starting a sharing thread specifically for J. Lane Dry Plates here.
Still Life: Nepenthes Briggsiana, shot on 4x5 dry plate, Intrepid camera + Kodak Anastigmat lens from the 1930s (I think)
https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1757/42036025934_ff41f84c07_b.jpg
Paul - the mods may want to merge as there is a thread for dry plates (http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?143905-A-thread-for-images-made-with-dry-plates) already...we shall see.
Love the image - why no edge artifacts (pealing and crinkling)? Yours is very smooth.
paulbarden
12-Jun-2018, 08:26
Paul - the mods may want to merge as there is a thread for dry plates (http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?143905-A-thread-for-images-made-with-dry-plates) already...we shall see.
Love the image - why no edge artifacts (pealing and crinkling)? Yours is very smooth.
Randy,
Ya know, I was sure there was a thread like this, but I swear I couldn’t find it this morning. Ugh. Mods, please merge this with the existing thread if you can, thanks.
There are edge artifacts present in this image, but they’re subtle. The fact that I vignetted the image some helps obscure them.
Nodda Duma
12-Jun-2018, 13:28
why no edge artifacts (pealing and crinkling)? Yours is very smooth.
Glass prep and a subbing layer (I found it helpful to minimize those artifacts for folks new to processing dry plate).
callmebrick
14-Jun-2018, 11:37
gosh dangit I need to finish my darkroom.
Christopher Barrett
14-Jun-2018, 12:52
gosh dangit I need to finish my darkroom.
Heh, freight company called to deliver my vent hood. Now I just need cabinets, counters and a door!
Oren Grad
14-Jun-2018, 13:44
Ya know, I was sure there was a thread like this, but I swear I couldn’t find it this morning. Ugh. Mods, please merge this with the existing thread if you can, thanks.
No problem, done!
Shot last weekend - J. Lane 4X5 dry plate, Graflex Series D w/Reinhold Schable's 190mm Wollaston meniscus @ f/9.
I think when I modified the film pack adapter to take glass plates, I didn't get the plate registered at the correct distance for focus.
Need to re-measure.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/d7ezo2cb8bx72rp/img879a.jpg?dl=1
Mushroom was about 9" tall
Nodda Duma
27-Jul-2018, 08:41
Nice, Randy! That’s a big mushroom.
Rocks and plants and bricks. Testing new batch of emulsion.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180727/c0c8b9fd187f44fbec059bd506633250.jpg
Well, I am about ready to give up. My last 4X5 I shot, the emulsion pretty much floated off, even with almost no agitation - but perhaps this is because it is from a very early batch.
I just shot two 5X7's and processed - while the emulsion was very stable and remained intact, I have some weird swirly artifact floating up out of my subject on the right, looking almost like smoke, which becomes quite distracting. I was hoping it was some emulsion that got onto the back of the glass and I could clean it off, but it is on the emulsion side.
It is just hard for me to get a consistent usable image...and I really don't care for the notch in the glass.
I had high hopes :(
https://www.dropbox.com/s/xjt2y8rubiwosbz/img881a.jpg?dl=1
Spearfish Falls, SD
This nice little fall was dry for nearly fifty years when a gold mining operation took all the water. The mine shut down and the waterfall is back! It was a popular subject in the early 1900s. Chamonix 045n, c.1920 Dagor 4 in. in Compur dial, dry plate. ISO 1, 2s, f11.
Kent in SD
Nodda Duma
8-Oct-2018, 19:46
Very nice, Kent. I have a thing for waterfalls.
MichaelPRyan
7-Nov-2018, 03:59
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1961/45038168254_aca9a97cdb_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2bBSojj)
There is a opening in the canopy of these oaks and at the right time of day and the right time of year it makes this nice pocket of light. I think I need a model with pixie wings and a white flowing dress to complete the scene. That’s what I’m seeing. Thoughts, comments?
Legacy Oaks and Spanish Moss
Punta Gorda, FL
5X7 Deardorff
Q10 McIntosh 6.7 Magic Lantern Lens
Rodinal 1:50 6 min
rrunnertexas
10-Dec-2018, 20:23
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4829/32395917868_7ac548cf0c_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/RmHxJ5)Seneca Plastigmat GP Whiteflat School (https://flic.kr/p/RmHxJ5) by rrunnertexas (https://www.flickr.com/photos/18736302@N03/), on Flickr
Took a trip to the panhandle of Texas and shot this on a J. Lane 5x7 dry plate. Ghost town, Whiteflat, Texas school building, long abandoned.
malexand
13-Aug-2019, 07:23
194280
Backyard test image. 4x5 crown graphic 135mm optar, rated at 1 iso.
My very first glass plate image! Homebrewed emulsion using Mark Osterman's recipe.
Jim Noel
13-Aug-2019, 12:12
I hate to be a curmudgeon, but wonder why so many images have frilled edges,or emulsion floating off the glass. As I began with the plates, both ASA 2 and 25,I had some exposure problems, but no frilling, etc. All I have done is follow the directions on the box carefully and maintained close temperature control.
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