Still Life 2022

[otto.f]

That’s beautiful

+1!

[Randy]

5x7 inch wet plate collodion image on glass, as a negative. Made with a 1930s Kodak Anastigmat 5.5" lens at f16, exposure was 17 minutes.

Paul, inspiring as usual - but I am curious - and this question may reveal my ignorance of the wet plate process, but if the emulsion is very time sensitive requiring the exposure to be made while it is wet, how do you do such a long exposure without risking the emulsion drying?

[paulbarden]

Paul, inspiring as usual - but I am curious - and this question may reveal my ignorance of the wet plate process, but if the emulsion is very time sensitive requiring the exposure to be made while it is wet, how do you do such a long exposure without risking the emulsion drying?

Thank you Randy.

About the drying of wet plates during long exposures: yes, its absolutely a risk you take when making long exposures! I have never pushed it to 17 minutes before this plate - I was expecting to find it had dried too much before I got it developed, but no, it was fine. I made this photograph on a cold day, and the temperature in that room was no more than 60F, and the air was perfectly still. If it had been 75F in there, I'm sure there's no way I'd have been able to extend the exposure that long without drying the plate out.

[Mattk]

Darlot Opticien 4-4 12" f/4
Kodak 2D 8x10
Severely expired and moisture damaged Tri-X in Rodinal 1:50
First frame with the lens as it arrived today

[Mattk]

Same look but with fresh HP5

[Ben Calwell]

Same look but with fresh HP5

Really nice!

[chris73]

9x12
1920s Rodenstock Eurynar / underexposed Agfa Ortho CP-G Plus X-ray film / Caffenol C

[otto.f]

Very nice

[chris73]

Thank you otto!

[paulbarden]

A variation on a previous image.
Wet Plate Collodion glass negative, 5x7 inches.
Camera: Intrepid 5x7 with the 6&3/8" Kodak Anastigmat lens, at f8.0
Three minute exposure.