Why I Choose Collodion Dry Plate Negatives For My Pictorial Whispers Memorial Project

I have recently received several emails from fellow photographers and even a few non-creatives asking me about my decision to use wet plate collodion dry plate negatives for my Pictorial Whispers project.

If you are unfamiliar with my Pictorial Whispers project, you should read the overview before proceeding with the rest of the article.

Many photographers today are familiar with the wet plate collodion process. However, they most commonly associate it with creating tintypes (positives on black aluminum plates) or ambrotypes (positives on clear glass, backed with black felt or paper). Fewer may be aware of the collodion dry plate negative process, which allows for the creation of collodion negatives without the need for a mobile darkroom in the field.

As I will detail below, my initial attempts to create wet plate collodion negatives in the field quickly presented significant challenges. The rugged terrain of the Ozark Mountains, combined with the physical demands of carrying an 8×10 camera, heavy vintage lenses, and glass plates, made it a daunting task. This difficulty was further compounded by the logistical complexities of managing a mobile darkroom in such a setting. I was determined not to limit myself to roadside photography, as I knew there were more captivating opportunities deeper within the forest and mountains.

Faced with these obstacles, I recognized the need for a more practical solution that would enable me to continue exploring and capturing the images I envisioned. Fortunately, I discovered an innovative approach I am excited to share below.

If you enjoy slowing down with film, darkroom printing, and meaningful photography, consider subscribing to my YouTube Channel. I share new videos each week focused on simple tools, timeless techniques, and the quiet joy of analog.

Why I Choose Wet Plate Collodion Negatives for Pictorial Whispers

In the shadow of profound loss—the passing of my beloved daughter, affectionately known as Peanut—my journey through grief found an unexpected ally in the art of photography. The “Pictorial Whispers” project emerged from this partnership, not only as a memorial but as a therapeutic passage through heartache. It is within this context that I’ve embraced the wet plate collodion negative-making process, a choice deeply intertwined with the emotional and artistic depths of the series.

Historical Context & Background

The wet plate collodion process was pioneered in the 1850s, revolutionizing photography by producing images with fine details and a distinct aesthetic. This method involves coating a glass plate with collodion and salts, sensitizing it with silver nitrate, exposing it while still wet, and developing it immediately after. Its resurgence in contemporary art circles speaks to a yearning for authenticity and tangibility in the creation of images—a direct connection to photography’s storied past.

I share my formulas and chemistry notes about collodion dry plate negatives on my Formulary page.

I initially embarked on using the traditional wet plate collodion process to create negatives but soon encountered significant limitations in terms of access and the ability to produce the plates I envisioned. It was at this point that I understood why photographers in the latter part of the 19th century swiftly transitioned to silver gelatin dry plates. These dry plates revolutionized photography by eliminating the need for a mobile darkroom in the field, paving the way for modern sheet film.

While the advantages of dry plates intrigued me, the types of negatives produced by the silver gelatin dry plate process did not fully meet my creative or technical needs.

At Quinn Jacobson’s suggestion, I delved into historical literature on collodion negatives. Major Russell, who first introduced the collodion dry plate process in 1861 and authored “The Tannin Process,” along with Thomas Sutton’s 1862 work, “Collodion Processes, Wet & Dry,” provided crucial insights. These texts not only filled in the gaps but also laid a robust foundation for contemporary applications of collodion dry plates.

My current work is deeply rooted in and built upon the knowledge from these seminal 19th-century texts. Russell’s foundational techniques and Sutton’s detailed explanations of collodion chemistry have guided my exploration of new dry plate collodion photography methods.

I want to acknowledge my friendship and help of Quinn Jacobson. If you are interested in wet plate and don’t know who Quinn Jacobson is, then you have probably been living under a rock. Not only does Quinn have a commanding knowledge about all things wet plate, he is a kind and generous person that has tirelessly helped photographers learn and explore the many facets of wet plate collodion for over two decades. A person could spend months watching the insightful videos on his YouTube channel.

Quinn’s book Chemical Pictures, Making Ambrotypes, Tintypes, Negatives, and Prints is a valuable resource I highly recommend to anyone who doesn’t fully understand the underlying details of wet plate and POP printing.

Aesthetic Appeal

Wet plate photography is marked by its captivating imperfections, and newcomers to the process often abuse it. Some use it as a license to hide behind not mastering the process.

The aesthetic appeal of wet plate collodion photography goes beyond its vintage charm; it profoundly alters the way we perceive reality, creating images that are not just captured moments but reinterpretations of the visual world. The allure lies in its imperfections—streaks, smudges, and an uneven exposure—that imbue each frame with an unmistakable, timeless character. This aesthetic makes each photograph uniquely compelling, as the anomalies of the process add layers of texture and depth that are unachievable with modern digital techniques.

The spectral sensitivity of collodion is a pivotal feature that dramatically influences how subjects are depicted. Collodion emulsions are inherently more sensitive to blue and ultraviolet light, and less so to reds and greens. This sensitivity shifts the way colors are rendered, often resulting in ethereal and somewhat ghostly images. Skies can appear more dramatic and darker, while certain skin tones and textures are enhanced, giving the subject a surreal, almost otherworldly appearance. This characteristic plays a crucial role in how reality is perceived and represented through the lens of a wet plate camera.

In the context of the Pictorial Whispers project, this spectral sensitivity enhances the thematic elements of memory and absence. The altered reality produced by the collodion process mirrors the way memories can shift and fade, often highlighting some features while obscuring others. Just as memories are not perfect replicas of reality, so too are collodion images altered representations, not just of the physical world, but of the emotional landscapes they depict.

The way in which collodion photography captures light and shadow, especially in natural settings like those involving the symbolic trees in Pictorial Whispers, underscores the themes of remembrance and loss. The trees, bathed in the unique light sensitivity of collodion, stand not just as physical entities but as ethereal presences, their forms altered in a way that echoes the transformative effect of grief and memory. The trees become more than just subjects; they are rendered as emotive figures, guardians of legacy, whose every detail is imbued with the weight of memory and the passage of time.

Ultimately, the use of wet plate collodion in the Pictorial Whispers project is not just a technical decision but a deeply thematic choice. It aligns with the project’s aim to explore the liminal spaces between presence and absence, reality and memory, providing a visual language that is as powerful as it is poignant. The spectral peculiarities of collodion thus enrich the narrative, adding a layer of complexity and depth that challenges viewers to see beyond the surface and into the heart of what is being commemorated.

Emotional Resonance

The tactile nature of the wet plate process—with its labor-intensive demands—mirrors my own emotional labor through grief. Each step, from preparing the chemistry to the final development, is a meditative practice, reflecting the intricacies of my internal journey. The process requires patience, precision, and, inevitably, an acceptance of unpredictability, much like navigating the labyrinth of loss. This methodical engagement is therapeutic, providing a space to process and channel my emotions through the creation of each plate.

Symbolism and Connection

In “Pictorial Whispers,” trees are not merely subjects but symbols of enduring presence and memory. Captured through the historic lens of collodion, these stoic beings stand as guardians of legacy, their roots metaphorically entwined with the depths of my emotions. The wet plate technique, with its roots in the earliest days of photography, enhances this symbolism, imbuing the images with a sense of timelessness and continuity—linking the past to the present through visual echoes of enduring memories.

Personal and Artistic Fulfillment

This project has allowed me to forge a profound connection not just with my craft but with Abby herself. Each photograph is a stanza in an ongoing dialogue with her absence, where the wet plate serves as a conduit for both memory and communication. The physical act of creating these images provides a semblance of peace, offering a momentary respite from the relentless grip of emotional pain, while also helping to keep Abby’s spirit alive and vivid in every captured frame.

Conclusion

Choosing wet plate collodion for “Pictorial Whispers” was not merely a stylistic decision; it was a deliberate engagement with the very essence of photography and memory-making. This old-world technique has enabled a poignant bridge between past and present, allowing for a deeply personal exploration of grief, memory, and love. As each plate develops, so too does a piece of the story it tells, forever preserving the whispers of a lost, beloved voice in the echoes of the natural world.

Through this detailed exploration, the article not only highlights why the wet plate collodion method was chosen but how it significantly contributes to the thematic and emotional depth of the “Pictorial Whispers” project.

If you enjoy slowing down with film, darkroom printing, and meaningful photography, consider subscribing to my YouTube Channel. I share new videos each week focused on simple tools, timeless techniques, and the quiet joy of analog.