I am working towards creating my first collodion dry plate negatives for “Abby’s” Project, Pictorial Whispers.
The collodion dry plate process offers several unique advantages over the traditional wet plate collodion negative process.
Moving from the wet process to the dry plate variation, I can prepare and sensitize a large batch of glass plate negatives in the darkroom and secure them in a light-safe box for exposure in the field later.
This may sound funny in the 21st century, but in the mid-1850s, this was life-changing. Since I am using the collodion process for Abby’s project, it is also a big deal for me.
In the next few days, I plan to clean, albumenize, and pour a batch of plates to begin the testing process.
I plan to stick close to the darkroom while testing and verifying the workflow, and then once I am confident the details are under control, I will start the creative process of creating new plates.
Pictorial Whispers: In Memory of Abby
My current photography project is a deeply personal exploration, born from the profound grief of losing my daughter, Abby, lovingly nicknamed “Peanut.”
In this work, I navigate my sorrow, using 19th-century large format photography as a medium for healing and expression. Drawing inspiration from the ethereal style of Pictorialism, I focus on trees and nature as symbols of strength and emotional solace.
I use the 19th-century collodion dry plate process to make my negatives and use them to make platinum-toned Kallitype contact prints. These hands-on historical techniques deepen my connection with every aspect of my artistic journey. Combined with large format cameras and vintage lenses, these handmade collodion negatives allow me to capture more than mere images; I encapsulate my emotions and memories in each handmade print.
My photographs, rendered in monochrome and enhanced through the Kallitype printing process with platinum toning, are narratives of my inner world. They reflect my journey through grief and serve as a tribute to Abby’s lasting memory.
This collection offers a unique experience, combining emotional depth, historical photographic techniques, and a deeply personal story.
You can read the full project narrative and artist statement.
Come with me behind the scenes in the field and my darkroom as I create my latest plates and handmade prints. Whether you are technical and want access to my Darkroom Diary notes and formulas or an art buyer who wants a personal connection with me, I have you covered and am excited to learn more about you.