The look - hand coated dry plate

Nodda, nice portrait of a lovely subject, but I must admit - your prior work makes me want a more than casual look at anything you post. As I looked, the questions came faster than I could remember them all. The least puzzling (maybe shouldn't be) is the crackled edge treatment. 1890s era emulsion - reproduced? Resurrected after actually being mixed/made that long ago? ISO derived from testing? How in this particular universe can a subject of any age hold that still for 4 sec? I have no doubt this image will be treasured as long as she or anyone who knows her is alive. Its really good, but seems otherworldly unique.

Thank you. Let me try to answer your questions: The crackling is because the emulsion lifted off the glass during development. I thought I had the glass cleaning step down but apparently not. Complex processes can be humbling.

I mixed this batch in November 2015. It is same emulsion that all my previous dry plate images are from, except I divided the batch amongst several light-tight containers to avoid excessive cycles of reheating and refrigeration. This plate is from a container that has only been reheated once. The recipe is from unblinkingeye.com

ISO 1 is a rough estimate based on use. So at the very least this is what I expose it at. I develop under a safe light and watch the image form. The contrast in the images seems reasonable so it's probably close. I haven't formally tested tho. Would much rather "wing it".

When queried, the subject indicated she "stares off into space and doesn't think of anything".


My wife wants a print for our wall, so this photo is a win !

Nodda, Thank You!

"Complex processes can be humbling." you are incredibly gracious. Humbling indeed. At my skill level, its all humbling - on a regular basis.

The crackling may be accidental, but looks very handsome. Your lovely subject - even not thinking - is almost super-human in her stillness. I've never seen that done before.

Your wife has good tastes. Its a wonderful portrait.

This is really beautiful.

The "crackling" may not be what you wanted, but I really like it. Great photo both technically and artistically.

I find this a most amazing photograph, done on the most amazing format and process, and a really lovely image of a very lovely young lady. Hope she likes, and Momma has a great eye for art and beauty. This photo demands to be printed and permanently placed prominently in your home. I would love to come up and see what you do, and the locale where you are doing it. I just blow past (actully not even close i come up I91) on my way to the White Mountains when i go up that far and never have time for your neighborhood. All your plate work and hand made emulsions is remarkable art and craft. I really admire your work, Nodda.

Thanks all. Michaelorr: look up Wild Salamander art gallery in Hollis, NH. I have a contact print on display there thru mid-May. Beautiful area in there too. You'll get a taste of old NH farmland.

I would love to get up there. Been talking to better half about us gettng away for a weekend. Will see what we can swing between all the other demands. Thanks for the info!

If you do, let me know and I'll see if I can meet you to say hi.