Two weeks ago we had here in a local central bibliothek a series of interesting art events and presentation. One of them, and obviously much more interesting for myself, was a masterclass of local vintage photographer Arturas Sestokas called "Eternal Images" and representing the process of taken "The Wet Collodion Plate" photos.
At his Facebook you can see fine gallery of the examples.
Shortly, not coming too much into chemical reaction theory, this process was invented back to 1851 and shortly replaced the initial daguerreotype process by the end of 1860ths. The process requires the photographic material to be coated, sensitized, exposed in developed in about 15 minutes using the glass plate and certain chemicals.
This photography is really special and has some 3D effect while watching final result on a glass plate. Older times people were believing that part of the soul remains there and visually I can not blame them for such beliefs. Sometimes it can look even quite scary...
Actual workshop represented actual taking of the photos of participants (who wanted to be photographed) showing everything from A to Z and actually that was real fun. In no doubt me with 
Lets start from the Maestro himself and how he was dealing with all those chemicals while initially covering the glass plate and then putting it for some further reaction inside red coated large glass box
At this point we are going to see whats actual photographic equipment is used. And it is a bide piece of vintage old school staff. Almost magic even try to touch this camera, which possible saw too many faces during hundred of years... and with some magic bright lens.
Some constant light with large umbrella was used as a source, which is obvious while having still a bit longer exposure necessary for chemical reaction to take effect
Some more shots of the process and some smaller details and photo equipment around. Have to admit that it may be is necessary a minivan to be able to bring all this staff to the location...
So well, the glass plate is ready inside a box. Was put inside the camera and the magic begins. And you can see the bird flying out of the lens!!!! So old school!!! But very nice feeling
So the photo is taken. And now the glass plate goes back to the red box for development. Interesting thing it is enough to have red transparent box only, so actually you can see how developing process goes on. Well, normally photographers do it in so called Dark Room with red light, but in movable conditions it is really the way out...
And here is the most magic part to see how the negative comes out. And then with some other chemical turns out into a positive image. Pure summoning!!!
So amazing... Definitely the part of the soul remains on the glass plate, no doubt..
And then was mine turn to take a seat and finally to get a photo for myself, which is usually quite an issue being a photographer :D
Well, simply insane experience. I'm not into discussing all those chemical reactions here. Who wants to get more knowledge about "Wet Plate" photography, it is easy accessible in the internet
Idea was to bring some strong visual impact showing the visual story of all what was happening. And making the feeling even more stronger all the set is in black and white.
Hope you enjoyed!
And yeah, we are still waiting for a final scans of the plates, but hoping to get them soon! Will do a post when they are received :)
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| Camera | FUJI X100T / Natural light |
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