Marc Lagrange

Today i had an appointment with Marc Lagrange and his very friendly assistant Kim.
A few weeks ago we got in contact with each other and Marc asked me if i was willing to show him the wet plate process.
Being a huge fan of his work saying yes is a bit of a understatement.....
So for me also it was an extremely interesting day. It's always nice to see and learn how other photographers use the light in a studio.

We made some new appointments so lets see what future may bring....

You really should visit his website : http://www.lagrange.be/
Also watch this movie of his recent exhibition which will be continued at beginning of March in Antwerp, Belgium !!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1q0gRm4vDY
really a MUST see.

Gathering with Sweden and Italy.....

Yesterday i made some plates together with Maja Nylander from Sweden and Maria Pia Pagliaro from Italy.
Both very talented photographers with a totally different view on Photography which lead to interesting discussions.
It's just funn every time again sharing this proces with other passionated photographers.

A brief impression of yesterday.

"Maja" made by Maria

"Maria" made by Maja

20 x 20" portraits

Yesterday i finally had some spare time to make some 20x20" portraits.
It's all more, bigger, heavier. But, this is really great.
Making plates 1:1 is so much fun and looking at the plates it just looks like the sitters are still in my studio.
BTW, this time have been using Amaloco rapid fixer. As told before, the difference between KCN and rapidfixer is really marginal. The tone of these plates are fantastic.
Just have a look at the last picture. That tone is how it actually looks like.
Now i have to find a way taking good pictures if this plate to be able to print it.

A brief impression :
( thanks to my friend Ben who made the pictures)

They got married.....

I just couldn't wait any longer.
Made a lens plate today and "married" my new Large Vogtlander lens with my 20x20" Donchev camera.
(I have two original lens plates which came with the camera, but i hate to cut a hole in them........)The difference in age between he and she is huge.
The voigtlander was made in 1862 and the Donchev is made in 2011.
Lets call it a "modern" marriage
It looks just great on the ground glass and i definately want to make some work with this camera starting in 2012. So keep posted.

If you need any more info about the Donchev camera's, just have a look at Andy's weblog : http://donchev-cameras.blogspot.com/

"Darwinian mill....."

Currently i am working on a new still life series with some sence of humor in it.
This is one of them.
Can tell you, it was a smelly job....

Exposure time 14 secs
Black glass ambro
KCN fixer
Dallmeyer 3b at aprox f8
18x24cm

How to store your precious Ambrotypes

Making nice plates in one thing, but storig them in a proper way is at least that important.
Although your plates are varnished, it's very important to store your plates safely.
I bought my envelopes from the Dutch fotomuseum. They are acid free and have the exact European size ( 18 x 24 cm ).
They also sell smaller sizes !
Here you can order them : http://www.nederlandsfotomuseum.nl/component/option,com_nfm_verpakkingen/Itemid,794/lang,nl/index.php?option=com_nfm_verpakkingen&sub=detail&Itemid=794&id=233

I print the actual picture at the front. Just by using my laserprinter and at the back i print some additional information.
I use a safe shockproof aluminium case to store them vertical.
Storing them this way doesn't take you much space and they are safe.

Normal film plate holder part 2

In oktober 2010 i posted some pictures how to modify a normal film holder to a wet plate holder.
Here's the post http://collodion-art.blogspot.com/2010/10/normal-film-holder-for-wet-plate.html
I have got several questions how i manage to hold the plate into the plate holder as it has no door with a spring.
Well, actually this is quite simple. Just take a normal plastic (limonade) bottle. Cut a small part out of the bottom part (which is mostly the stiffest part) of the bottle  (about 1.5 x 3 inches) et voila:  you have made yourself a spring for your plate holder.
Just as simple as that.
Try to make it of a white bottle which makes it much easier to locate when you are working in the dark room.