Wet Plate Gear for Beginners

[Tim Meisburger]

On the plate rack thing, if any of you have an even moderately handy friend with a table saw, making one would be very simple.

[Ari]

I shot my first wet plate this morning:



I obviously need a lot more work to get where I want to be, but the first attempt was encouraging.
I mixed up the B&S kit yesterday, and iodized the silver bath overnight.
The procedure was straightforward, but my technique needs practice, and I have to troubleshoot the chemicals (I think).
It was a pretty fast process, I shot two plates in about 15 minutes (the second one was a disaster ).

Now the real work begins.

[ghostcount]

Congratulations Ari!!!

Wonderful first plate.

[Ari]

Thank you very much, Randy.
I'd like to know where you think I should start troubleshooting, if it's not too much trouble to ask.
I would like to get as clean a plate as possible.

[ghostcount]

Thank you very much, Randy.
I'd like to know where you think I should start troubleshooting, if it's not too much trouble to ask.
I would like to get as clean a plate as possible.

Make sure you wipe clean your holder and trays after every shoot. Dirty holder causes "oysters", the contamination you see on the edge of your plate. (Very important)

Tray develop for now 'til you get comfortable then try hand developing.

Develop with consistent time and adjust your exposure.

Try to avoid dust settling on the plate when pouring collodion, causes "comets" (un-avoidable but can be minimize by coating in a less dusty area)

I think you'll get the hang of it and eventually develop your own methods.

Keep shooting!

[Ari]

Thank you very much, Randy!
I did develop by hand, I'll use a tray next time.
I didn't think the holder was dirty, but the proof is in the pudding. It was my first time using it.

I did all the chemical processes in a small bathroom with a ceiling vent, but the smell of collodion, developer and fixer managed to go through the house.
If it weren't so cold outside, I'd do it there.

Thanks again, Randy, I'll post with any more plates.

[ghostcount]

Invest on an Eskimo Quickfish 3 or Fatfish. Kept my wife from complaining.

[Ari]

Already started looking; though up here, I'm more likely to go ice-fishing in it.

[Joe Smigiel]

What kind of holder are you using? If you can minimize contact between the plate and the holder, you'll also minimize chances for oysters to form.

[Ari]

Hi Joe,
I'm using a converted Graphic film pack adapter.
I have a whole plate holder on its way from Lund, but I'm going to work through 4x5 first to get the hang of everything.
If the holder is the sole cause of the oysters, I can live with them a little longer while I get through the learning curve.
Thanks!