

WET PLATE COLLODION
The Wet Plate Collodion Process is unpredictable, mysterious and impressionistic. Unlike later photography it relies on the photographer “pouring” a plate of metal or glass with a layer of collodion. This is a sticky gun-cotton solution which when dipped in a bath of silver nitrate is sensitized to light. After a few minutes the plate is removed, placed in its large wooden camera plate holder and the shot taken. To produce the latent image a small glass of developer is poured over the plate in the darkroom, the plate then washed and finally put in a fixer of “hypo”. A session typically runs between 3 and 4 hours. It is a leisurely process of constant discovery, exposure times varying between 5 and 15 seconds with each finished and fixed plate taking around 20 minutes or so to achieve.
COMMISSIONS
The studio accommodates indoor: portrait, seated and full length reclining poses. Outdoor sunlight; full length standing or groups dependant on weather. Plate sizes: 5″ x 4″, 5″ x 7″ and 9″ x 7″. These both on metal (“ferrotype“) or on glass (“ambrotype“).
ONE TO ONE TUITION / PRACTICAL DEMONSTRATIONS BY ARRANGEMENT
REALITY STUDIO: Nearest stations: BRIXTON (Victoria Line) or CLAPHAM NORTH (Northern Line). Street parking available.
CONTACT: realityfilm@btinternet.com
TEL: +44 7956 178 130
ALL SHOOTS ARE CONFIDENTIAL, OFFLINE AND CAN BE CONDUCTED ON LOCATION OR AT CLIENT’S PREMISES WHERE SUITABLE. PLEASE CONTACT FOR FURTHER DETAILS.
