This plate belongs to Pictorial Whispers, my ongoing body of work using flowers, natural light, a vintage window, and 19th-century photographic processes to speak about grief, memory, endurance, and healing.
Category Archives: Darkroom Diary
New Behind The Scenes Video for Pictorial Whispers Plate 4
This plate belongs to Pictorial Whispers, my ongoing body of work using flowers, natural light, a vintage window, and 19th-century photographic processes to speak about grief, memory, endurance, and healing.
The Hidden Power of Gelatin in Silver Gelatin Emulsions
Most photographers think the magic of silver gelatin photography is in the silver.
That is partly true. The silver halide crystals are the light-sensitive part of the emulsion. They are what respond to light and make the photographic image possible.
But gelatin is not just the stuff that holds the silver in place.
Social Media is the Toilet of the Internet – and Why This Matters for Photographers
The Internet has changed photography in powerful ways, both good and terrible. In this reflective essay, I explore how social media, fake expertise, AI, and the noise of modern online culture have pulled photographers away from the quiet, meaningful work of making photographs with intention, patience, and real experience.
The Calotype as the Final Image
For the last two years, I have been trying to understand why I am often more moved by my handmade calotype paper negatives than by the positive images made from them.
At first, I thought the calotype was only part of the process. It was the handmade paper negative I needed before making a salt print. That is the expected way to think about it. The negative comes first. The print comes later. The print is supposed to be the finished artwork.
But over time, that idea started to feel incomplete.
Where the Flowers Were – Pictorial Whispers 2026 Plate 5
This plate belongs to Pictorial Whispers, my ongoing body of work using flowers, natural light, a vintage window, and 19th-century photographic processes to speak about grief, memory, endurance, and healing.
Why Silver Gelatin Paper Negatives Never Took Over
As I move deeper into making my own silver gelatin emulsions and paper negatives, I keep coming back to one question: if paper negatives were lighter, easier to carry, and less fragile than glass, why did they remain such a small part of photographic history?
A Page Left Open – Pictorial Whispers 2026 Plate 4
This plate belongs to Pictorial Whispers, my ongoing body of work using flowers, natural light, a vintage window, and 19th-century photographic processes to speak about grief, memory, endurance, and healing.
Why I Spend so Much Time Doing Photography
A family member recently asked me why I spend so much time doing photography.
At first, I gave the question the respect it deserved. I did not want to answer too quickly. Some questions deserve more than a clever sentence or a passing remark. They deserve stillness, reflection, and honesty.
Waiting at the Threshold – Pictorial Whispers 2026 Plate 3
This plate belongs to Pictorial Whispers, my ongoing body of work using flowers, natural light, a vintage window, and 19th-century photographic processes to speak about grief, memory, endurance, and healing.