In a previous article, I shared that as of November 1, 2025, I work exclusively with the St Andrews-era calotype: iodized paper, excited with aceto-nitrate of silver (without gallic acid in the exciting bath), and developed in gallic acid. This is the chemistry John Adamson employed in 1843 to stabilize and make the process repeatable. John Adamson was a medical doctor and clearly was an intelligent and critical thinker.
Category Archives: Darkroom Diary
I’m Moving to a Historically Correct Calotype Workflow
As of November 1, 2025, I now work exclusively with the St Andrews-era calotype: iodized paper, excited with aceto-nitrate of silver (no gallic acid in the exciting bath), and developed in gallic acid. This is the chemistry John Adamson used to make the process stable and repeatable.
Nikon ES-2 35mm Film Digitizing Adapter
For analog 35mm film photographers who want the convenience of digital scans without sacrificing quality, the Nikon ES-2 Film Digitizing Adapter presents a compelling solution. Whether you’re looking to archive your negatives, share them online, or preview your analog work before printing in the darkroom, the ES-2 offers a streamlined, high-resolution digitizing process—right from your camera.
Ozark National Scenic Riverways Field Notes for 10/07/2025
Date: October 07, 2025, 06:45 AM CTSubject: Horses, River/Creek Levels, and LandscapesConditions: Water: low, Wind: calm, Light: overcast, Temp: 67°F Introduction No fine art photos today. Strictly environmental work and checking the status of the river, creeks, and fields. The water levels in the river and creeks are currently extremely low, having trended downward for some time. DueContinue reading “Ozark National Scenic Riverways Field Notes for 10/07/2025”
A Year on the Jack’s Fork River Corridor – Ozarks National Scenic Riverways
Starting today, October 5, 2025, I’m documenting a year on the Jack’s Fork River in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways—river, forests, and the wild horses—using large-format black-and-white film.
Ferric Oxalate: Why “Fresh” Matters
Ferric oxalate (FO) is the engine of platinum/palladium printing. When it’s healthy, prints “pop” with clean highlights, deep blacks, and smooth midtones. When it drifts—even a little—you burn paper chasing exposure, contrast, and clearing.
Make the Damn Prints: 9 Lessons I Took from Sally Mann’s New Book, Art Work
Sally Mann doesn’t write like a guru. She writes like someone who did the work, paid the price, and kept going. Art Work: On the Creative Life isn’t a how-to manual so much as a mirror: you either see yourself showing up, or you don’t. These are the ideas that hit me hardest—and how I’m putting them to work in the studio and darkroom.
Announcing Salt & Silver: A Working Reconstruction of Photography’s Origins
I’m launching a new, long-term project that re-performs William Henry Fox Talbot’s and Sir John Herschel’s foundational experiments—from photogenic drawing to the calotype and salted paper print—documenting original 1830s formulas alongside safe modern equivalents, with real results (wins and misses). Follow along for transparent, step-by-step discoveries and why they still matter today.
50 Years of Photography—My Single Biggest Lesson
50 Years of Photography – 1 Lesson: Gear won’t give you a voice—finishing small, focused projects will.
In this premium article, I share the six-week Micro-Project Method, five ready-made project templates, and the mindset shifts that finally quieted gear FOMO (fear of missing out) and grew my work.
Platinum/Palladium Developers Compared: Potassium Oxalate vs Ammonium Citrate
Swapping developers in platinum/palladium can change the print’s voice—even at the same exposure. Here’s a practical overview of how potassium oxalate (POx) and ammonium citrate (AmCit) differ in tone, contrast, and Dmax when everything else stays constant, plus when to reach for each one.