Wetplate/Tintype Help

[Nev]

I am dying to learn how to develop wetplate and tintype style pictures. I was wondering if anybody on this forum knows a lot about this style. I was hoping to find great resources on the net as well as find some of the best people to learn from. Id love to take a course to get started, even if it meant traveling.
So if anybody has any great information for me please let me know.
:confused:
Thanks so much!

 

[Goza]

will dunniway has a workshop coming up in April (I think) in Yosemite.

Can't beat that!

 

[Pinholemaster]

http://www.robertszabo.com/index.html

http://www.collodion-artist.com/History/

http://www.collodion.com/

http://www.unblinkingeye.com/Articles/WPC/wpc.html

http://www.cwreenactors.com/collodion/practitioners.htm

http://www.collodionart.com/

And the Master:

http://www.johncoffer.com/

Take one of his workshops. You'll then know it all.

 

[smieglitz]

On the third page of my Getting Started in Wetplate Collodion Photography article you'll find links to resources including many wetplate practitioners. People such as myself, Bill Schwab, Kerik Kouklis, Mark and France Osterman, Will Dunniway, John Coffer, etc., teach workshops at various times throughout the year. I don't know where in Canada you are located but if you are near to Michigan I might suggest the workshop Bill Schwab and I will be teaching to kick off Bill's Dead Link Removed gathering in mid-June.

The links page also lists quite a number of current wetplate artists online as well as sources for wetplate chemistry, cameras and other supplies.

Joe

 

[Kerik]

I've got a beginner's workshop coming up in 2 weeks in Philadelphia:

http://projectbasho.org/workshops/2009spring/wet-plate-collodion.html

I think there's room for 1 or 2 more.

 

[RobertP]

workshop

If you are unable to attend a workshop you can order John Coffer's manual and 3 DVD set. Its about as close to a workshop that you can get without attending one and it covers everything you need to get started (and then some). I spent a few days with John but I still refer to the DVDs at times because it is hard to remember everything that is thrown at you during the course of a three day workshop. Robert

 

[Nev]

oh thats a good idea too! Ill take a look for sure.

edit: I checked out his site and he offers a course close to me. Might be a bit of travel but seems well worth the knowledge and experience. Seems like the only way to apply for the course is via mail? Yikes... hope it gets there in time.

 

[Nev]

I've got a beginner's workshop coming up in 2 weeks in Philadelphia:

http://projectbasho.org/workshops/2009spring/wet-plate-collodion.html

I think there's room for 1 or 2 more.

I actually found your site online a while back and considered it! But I think its further away from me. Im in Ottawa Canada. Johns is about 4 hours away and Philly is almost 8 I think. Having said that, Ive always wanted to try an authentic Philly cheese n steak... could be worth the extra drive!

 

[bill schwab]

John's DVD set helped me a great deal, but I still thought it a good idea to work with someone first and went to Kerik for the hands on. He was excellent. Joe already mentioned the Photostock workshop. Just to throw it out there knowing Ottawa is still a long way, but I am in Detroit and would happily do a 1 on 1 day if you have an interest. It is always good to get another person hooked!

 

[faustroll]

Short video set here -

If you visit Robb Kendrick's website,


http://www.robbkendrick.com/

you'll find some short videos in his 'media' section.

 

[Colin Corneau]

I'm in the same situation as you are, Nev.

And I'm a heck of a lot farther away from anything than Ottawa! I've even picked up a hand-made half-plate camera and holders from Ty Guillory to get me started. John Coffer's DVD's seem a must, but I agree that getting some time in person for instruction is vital.

I'm willing to travel, obviously...PM me if you're interested on pairing up for this!

 

[kymtman]

youTube has a few short videos that are interesting. google "collodion video" I am also interested in the process and I was wondering if the collodion sold at Formulary has all the ingredients or is it plain collodion in need of more chemicals before you dip in the sensitizers. any help would be greately appreciated.

 

[RobertP]

The collodion you buy is not a salted collodion. Salted collodion for wet plate has a limited shelf life. So yes you will need USP collodion ( and not the flexible collodion) , ether, grain alcohol, and depending on the recipe, salts like, cadmium bromide and potassium iodide. As it ages the slower and more contrasty it will become until it is not usable at all. 6 months or a little longer if it is kept refrigerated. I've seen collodion used that was a year old.

 

[SPAO]

The School of Photographic Arts: Ottawa is offering a two day Tintype workshop this June. The pdf with the course description, dates and fees is:

Dead Link Removed

Rob Hughes
Co-ordinator of Part Time Studies