Balkowitsch: I built the largest natural light wet plate studio in the US in over a century

tumba · Jan 19, 2018

I appreciate what he is doing and enjoyed seeing the setup and some of his photographs. The need for glass that doesn't filter UV was new to me. I'd be interested in the comments of other wet plate photographers in this community.

Many of the comments criticize the author for bloviation, but I think everyone who conceives of their art as a noble project to preserve tools and work methods from "a more civilized age" is in danger of that characterization.

https://petapixel.com/2018/01/11/built-first-natural-light-wet-plate-studio-us-century/

removed account4 · Jan 19, 2018

sure does have a nice place to shoot.
its weird he did all that research and didn't find
mark osterman's studio or the GEM ?
while i love looking at nice tintypes i sometimes
get fatigued at photographers who love to dress people up in
period costume. sometimes i find it helps the images, like if it is a anthropological photograph, other times
i don't see it ias a re-enactment and i wonder why the subject is dressed like its 1864 and find it sort ot dostracting.

Peter Schrager · Jan 20, 2018

Most wet plate etc is BORING!!...
same goes for platinum ..just because it's done in platinum does that make great art?
I certainly applaud the guy for his efforts
Mark Osterman....and Franicis Scully.....
They brought it all back...
It's not the process..its what's the result
Check out James walker on facebook he does nice work...

mshchem · Jan 20, 2018

I would love to have that studio. I think the wet plate process is intimidating. I have no desire to deal with all the chemicals. Not as long as I can get 11 X14, and 8x10 sheet film. The alternative printing processes hold more intrigue to me.
Best Mike

Bob Carnie · Jan 20, 2018

If he is as dedicate as this venture seems , we will be hearing a lot about this artist in the future. I would love to have the finances to not only build such a workspace, but the ability to retire, (he does not look like a very old dude) and do exactly what one wants to do. I too would love to custom build a space for my specific work, I have all the gear, but need the landing pad.

I am not as harsh as Peter, but I do find tin types not in my liking, though Peter you got to admit Pt Pd rocks.. What I think is interesting about wet plates are the photographers like Paul Barden who have years of printing experience making wet glass plate negatives and making prints from them, I love the fact that he has released himself from the commercial made products and can from scratch make his negs and papers with bulk chemical products.
I find this to be the true measure of a craftsman/artist and we should applaud this mans effort. Did not Curtis dress people up, me thinks yes.

removed account4 · Jan 20, 2018

Bob Carnie said:
If he is as dedicate as this venture seems , we will be hearing a lot about this artist in the future. I would love to have the finances to not only build such a workspace, but the ability to retire, (he does not look like a very old dude) and do exactly what one wants to do. I too would love to custom build a space for my specific work, I have all the gear, but need the landing pad.

I am not as harsh as Peter, but I do find tin types not in my liking, though Peter you got to admit Pt Pd rocks.. What I think is interesting about wet plates are the photographers like Paul Barden who have years of printing experience making wet glass plate negatives and making prints from them, I love the fact that he has released himself from the commercial made products and can from scratch make his negs and papers with bulk chemical products.
I find this to be the true measure of a craftsman/artist and we should applaud this mans effort. Did not Curtis dress people up, me thinks yes.

i agree bob,
but curtis dressed people up in the timeperiod they were living, didn't he?
not many 1st nation / native north americans he photographed were wearing suits and ties in 1870s-1924 (guessing) .
maybe i just remember being in the mall as a kid in the 70s and somene made
an olde tyme photograph of us dressed like it was 1910 .. and that experience has soured me ..

Bob Carnie · Jan 20, 2018

I think people like this kind of thing, not saying it is something I would like to be portrayed in.. I cringe of the thought of a picture of me in a Kilt to honour my lineage.

Sometimes photography can have these soft benefits and enjoyment for people, I hope we all do not expect our photography is going to be on MOMA'S walls.

Curtis made mistakes , by mixing up headdresses for certain subjects and was not perfect. I am sure there is articles out there somewhere about this aspect of his work.

Colin Corneau · Jan 20, 2018

OK, so clearly there's a source of independent wealth facilitating the passion project, here - good on him for that. You can be sure I'd do the same thing if I could.

The window is impressive, but he still uses artificial lights in studio??

Pretty cool story, overall though. I salute him.

rorye · Jan 20, 2018

If I'm not mistaken Shane was a nurse and also sold medical supplies.

Balkowitsch: I built the largest natural light wet plate studio in the US in over a century

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