Black spots on wet plate collodion

Unusual House Design

D
Unusual House Design

  • 2
  • 0
  • 29
Leaves.jpg

A
Leaves.jpg

  • 2
  • 0
  • 50
Walking Away

Walking Away

  • 2
  • 0
  • 77
Blue Buildings

A
Blue Buildings

  • 2
  • 1
  • 52

Recent Classifieds

Forum statistics

Threads
197,947
Messages
2,767,212
Members
99,514
Latest member
Emanuel Schi
Recent bookmarks
0

J_Pendygraft

Member
Joined
May 29, 2025
Messages
1
Location
Philadelphia
Format
Large Format
@Donald Qualls ... this is a jump from an old thread, and a question not related at all to pinhole cameras, but I just joined here and they won't let me DM you. So, aplologies for jumping in with a random question. Did you ever figure out the spots on your wet plates a few years back? I have spent the day with those same dark spots on tintypes (after sunning silver, using fresh silver, changing developers...) Your post is the only trouble-shooting reference close to what I am experiencing. Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks!

Moderator edit: an image was included in this post taken from another thread by @D_Quinn : https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/help-identifying-marks-wet-plate-collodion-photography.196495/
Please note this image is not original work by @J_Pendygraft


Screenshot 2025-05-29 at 9.20.14 PM.png
 
Last edited by a moderator:

koraks

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Nov 29, 2018
Messages
21,492
Location
Europe
Format
Multi Format
Welcome to Photrio @J_Pendygraft I have split off your post into a new thread; it appeared originally as a response in this thread which it doesn't relate to other than that @Donald Qualls also participated in it: https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/can-i-make-a-pin-hole-camara-out-of-a-hasselblad-500cm.212151/

There are several people with wet plate experience on this forum; I'll alert in particular @retina_restoration.

Spots as you show usually relate to the following causes:
* Dust etc. due to improperly cleaned plates
* Debris floating in the silver bath that adheres to the plate; periodically sunning and filtering the silver bath tends to help with this.
* Undissolved particulate matter in the collodion mix itself
You mention sunning your silver bath; did you filter it as well?
 

Donald Qualls

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 19, 2005
Messages
12,169
Location
North Carolina
Format
Multi Format
@Donald Qualls ... this is a jump from an old thread, and a question not related at all to pinhole cameras, but I just joined here and they won't let me DM you. So, aplologies for jumping in with a random question. Did you ever figure out the spots on your wet plates a few years back? I have spent the day with those same dark spots on tintypes (after sunning silver, using fresh silver, changing developers...) Your post is the only trouble-shooting reference close to what I am experiencing. Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks!

Moderator edit: an image was included in this post taken from another thread by @D_Quinn : https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/help-identifying-marks-wet-plate-collodion-photography.196495/
Please note this image is not original work by @J_Pendygraft


View attachment 399661

I've never worked wet plate (though I have interest in it, I currently lack the resources to pursue it). I think you're confused who you're replying to.
 
Photrio.com contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
To read our full affiliate disclosure statement please click Here.

PHOTRIO PARTNERS EQUALLY FUNDING OUR COMMUNITY:



Ilford ADOX Freestyle Photographic Stearman Press Weldon Color Lab Blue Moon Camera & Machine
Top Bottom