Troubleshooting, or What the Hell Is That?

[Ari]

Thank you, guys. You've been a huge help.

[Ari]

Hey!
I've been keeping up with wet plate, and got some images to share.
I've been doing ok on my own, troubleshooting my way out of problems for a week now. But I'm at a loss to explain these plates.
Maybe someone can tell me what's happening.







The images are grainy-looking, if that's possible, and there's a sort of "craquelure" all over the plates.
Just earlier on, I'd filtered my silver bath and adjusted the SG to 1.07.
Outside it was 70 degrees, perfect weather for wet plate.

If I had shot film, I'd have thought these were developed at 10 degrees warmer than normal and agitated constantly.
But I have the same collodion, developer, silver, and fix as before.

[paulbarden]

Hey!
I've been keeping up with wet plate, and got some images to share.
I've been doing ok on my own, troubleshooting my way out of problems for a week now. But I'm at a loss to explain these plates.
Maybe someone can tell me what's happening.


The images are grainy-looking, if that's possible, and there's a sort of "craquelure" all over the plates.
Just earlier on, I'd filtered my silver bath and adjusted the SG to 1.07.
Outside it was 70 degrees, perfect weather for wet plate.

If I had shot film, I'd have thought these were developed at 10 degrees warmer than normal and agitated constantly.
But I have the same collodion, developer, silver, and fix as before.

Hi Ari.
Sorry to see you're still having difficulties.

I have not seen marks exactly like what you've got here. But it does remind me of some of the marks I got when using the Lund trophy plate material. I don't suppose you did any tests on glass as a control? I have a feeling this issue is related to the Lund plate material.

[Ari]

Hi Paul,
This is my control test, I'm using a different aluminum for these photos.
The mystery is compounded because I used this aluminum the day before, and did not get these results.
I suspect either I need further refining of my developer technique, and/or that every aluminum with a peel-off coating is bound to have some abnormalities for wet plate applications.

[ghostcount]

Can't offer a solution but note the direction of the striations are the same for each image.

[Ari]

Can't offer a solution but note the direction of the striations are the same for each image.

Yeah, Randy, I thought perhaps it was the aluminum.
But I just checked my finished plates, and the Lund plates show the same thing.
Finicky business, this wet plate.

[ghostcount]

Finicky business, this wet plate.

Just shoot film. (j/k )

Try wiping down the plates with alcohol prior to pouring. I know the problem stated was specifically the Lund plates but if that helps we can assume similar problem. If you still get the same result, then change to a fresh collodion. To be sure, change one variable at a time.

[Ari]

Don't know if I could go back to film right now. It's too close to reality, who wants that?

Yup, will do that next time, Randy. You and Paul have both suggested it, I better get it done to see what's what.
I'm almost out of collodion, so it'll soon be time to mix up some more.
Thanks!

[Ari]

I shot my first 8x10 plate yesterday. Hoo boy, what an unholy mess.
I did one plate and left it at that because I quickly realized that I was working out of a dark box that was too narrow and too short.
Mistakes are everywhere, so it's hard to tell if my chemistry's ok (I mixed up a new silver bath for the 8x10 tank).

Anyway, what I find interesting in this image is the water drops on the left side. They seem to have been photographed and imprinted on the plate.
They have modelling and dimension.
I'd be interested in being able to re-create this effect again, on purpose.
Does anyone know, well, how I did it? Crop included below.

[Two23]

I've never seen anything like that. So, got the holder working?


Kent in SD