Project Notes : 1

To date we have had 2 photo sessions in and around my own studio, both using a combination of wet plates and film with the second session introducing paper negatives as a way of testing for wet plate captures. Work has been largely experimental, for wet plate trialing ideas around long / double exposure and capturing images on medium format film as a reference for possible wet plate captures.

Whilst there are some captures that have come out extremely well there are some that for reasons of being experimental have not been so successful, this was expected as we need the ‘didn’t quite work’ images to influence and refine future work. Also on reflection bouncing between using different processes can be a big distraction as the whole camera setup/exposure/light/process time thing for each process can impact on giving one format the time and headspace required. Creativity can become swamped with the shift in aesthetic and technical considerations. In can also be hinder the relationship between subject and artist.

This was very much highlighted by the quality of some of the film captures, some compositions were rushed and suffered from fading light without due consideration. Analog photography cannot be rushed !!

Also a limitation has been the size of my studio so an alternative location will be beneficial for some work, in particular a fellow artists friends farm & studio near Dollar.

Going forward I am thinking that it would be best to scale down the ambition and create a stronger focus for a session.

For wet plate create a studio setup to follow a single theme be it long / multiple exposure or say classic art nude figures, possible with the right conditions some woodlands shots.

For film and paper negs definitely some outdoor shots to create high contrast images with an ethereal quality, for these I would propose going up to 5”x4” and 10”x8” film. Working with 5”x4” format has a minimal cost impact whilst 10”x8” is not a format to be experimental with as it can become costly so this is where paper negs can help reduce wastage. The great benefit of 5x4 and more so 10x8 is the quality of either contact or alternative prints produced such as Cyanotype, Vandyke and even Platinum/Palladium prints for what I believe to the the highest quality of fine art printing. Something I have not done for a number of years but keen to get back into.

Also recognising that the material produced will be used by Dave and Sam for their own documentary projects where creating a small collection of alternative prints can add value.