Wet Plate - A Beginner's Experience

[Two23]

You really don't need a reducing back. I made an insert for 8x10 holder to 4x5 using black foam core. I cut a piece of it to fit inside the holder, and then cut a "window" out in the center that fits 4x5. I used tape to hold the corners of the 4x5, and use the 4x5 sized plug as the backer. I use 4x5 in the 8x10 (and 5x7) holders to take exposure tests and this works quite well. As for mother-n-law, I suppose nothing will help if she's hostile but really unless your kids are very young and get into things you shouldn't have a problem. I keep everything in sliding plastic storage drawers. Don't have kids around but I do have a cat. If you are going to practice using your bathroom or something be sure to put down plastic sheeting or something and remember to not touch anything such as door knobs etc. with gloves that have silver on them. You wouldn't believe how sneaky silver is when it comes to making a mess.


Kent in SD

[Tin Can]

I wrote 'glass plate only' in my book, for "Iodizing, Charge, Exciting" adding your term, 'seasoning'.

Monty is quite correct. Don't go there if your goal is to flatter!



Also good advice. I'm pretty sure Quinn states this very clearly in the book: use glass for the seasoning plate, always.

[Ari]

Kent, the plate holder I have is a converted Graflex. I don't have an 8x10 holder to reduce to 4x5.
And this also lets me shoot my remaining stash of 4x5 film.

[paulbarden]

Paul, I was just reading about this in Quinn's book today, but he didn't specify using glass. Maybe he does in another chapter, or in another edition of the book.

On pages 45/46 of the 2015 eBook version of Chemical Pictures, he just says "flow a plate with collodion" but doesn't specify glass. Curious, that he omitted that detail, as its pretty much considered a given that you use glass for the overnight excitation of the bath.

[Tin Can]

Ditto

I wish all these books were annotated and indexed, I guess post its on pages is a way to find details a second time.

I used to just memorize all books....not anymore

On pages 45/46 of the 2015 eBook version of Chemical Pictures, he just says "flow a plate with collodion" but doesn't specify glass. Curious, that he omitted that detail, as its pretty much considered a given that you use glass for the overnight excitation of the bath.

[Ari]

On pages 45/46 of the 2015 eBook version of Chemical Pictures, he just says "flow a plate with collodion" but doesn't specify glass. Curious, that he omitted that detail, as its pretty much considered a given that you use glass for the overnight excitation of the bath.

Glad Mark pointed that out, then!

[Two23]

Glad Mark pointed that out, then!

I never did the soak overnight deal and everything worked fine.


Kent in SD

[paulbarden]

I never did the soak overnight deal and everything worked fine.


Kent in SD

Well, did you buy a pre-iodized bath from one of the suppliers? Some sell it that way. The idea is to get the bath loaded with iodides before you make any plates, to save you from dealing with a few low contrast, poor quality plates at the outset. If you make up a silver bath and don't "season" it before use, you will get images, but they will tend to be flat and fogged. Seasoning the bath beforehand prevents that.

[Two23]

I don't remember exactly but I think I probably used the silver solution that came with the B&S kit.


Kent in SD

[Mark Sampson]

As a (very occasional) wet-plate beginner, I've relied on Mr. Sawyer's generosity and expertise to achieve my few successful plates. I'd not have gotten that far (or anywhere with wet-plate) without his in-person help; I'll suggest that you can rely on his advice at all times. Best of luck!