Pinhole collodion on location...

[indian101scout]

So I broke free of the backyard today, packed up the car with all my gear and headed out to Stillwater, MN for a little location shooting. I shot a lensed image of the historic courthouse (see collodion section), and wanted to pinhole around there, but the light was wrong AND there was a wedding setting up, so I was beginning to feel like I was in the way. Instead I went downtown, scored a great parking spot and worked out of the back of my car. I have asked the city if I can set up my pop up darkroom sometime to shoot, but they're dragging their feet... The back of the car worked well once I got a system down. All images were between 4 and 5 minutes. I would set up the shot and my wife would then linger by my camera and tripod while I went back and prepped the plate, then exposure, then go back and process. It was pretty fun. I want to build a larger pinhole with a built in plate holder/back set-up, probably around 9"x7" - I like oddball sizes. Maybe 9"x9", yeah, I like that idea...

The first is the entrance to a local architects office and living space... Attached files

[indian101scout]

The second is the front of a tourist trolley, obviously named "Dolly" - which is written backwards to appear right-reading in a car's rear view mirror. Since collodion flips everything, it reads right in the image! Not sure why I got a couple spots of silver build up top/center of the image...

Attached files

[indian101scout]

Lastly is a shot of the river and the bridge. I did another plate of this that was a hair less exposed, but I had moved the camera and prefer the framing of this one, besides, my darkslide smudged some of the collodion in the second shot, so it was trashed. EDIT: Oh, and I caught the bridge just as it was going up, so it traveled up and then held it's level, then was on its way back down when the exposure ended. There were people walking all up and down the levee, and tons of boats making their way under the raised bridge... but, of course none of it showed up. 5-1/2 minute exposure.

Stillwater is a wonderful place to shoot, and I am currently in the process of putting together a plan to open an Alternative Process Photo Center there. I will offer memberships with equipment and chemistry access, workshops, and print services, as well as have a gallery space that will feature rotating shows. I figure the town is a nice destination, with plenty of subject matter right out the front door! I will update as things progress...

Thanks all! Attached files

[Marv]

I like what you are doing Dave. Stillwater is a great location but I don't seem to make my way over there when I am in the Twin Cities; a situation I must rectify, me thinks.

[JoeVanCleave]

Great images, I'm getting interested in collodion myself. What are your typical exposure times in bright sun for collodion pinhole?

~Joe

[indian101scout]

Great images, I'm getting interested in collodion myself. What are your typical exposure times in bright sun for collodion pinhole?

~Joe

I am getting decent results between 4 and 6 minutes, with the collodion staying wet the whole time. Much longer than that and it starts to dry out. This is at about 80 degrees or less, here in the mid-west. The first two images were 4.5 and the last was 5.5. I have tried a few images that have a large amount of shadow as well as highlight, but they have all stayed quite dark, with only the brightest bits of highlight showing up. Seems bright, direct sun is the way to go...

[Tom Miller]

Dave, it is a pleasure to watch the series progress. I admire your delving into new media (new, old media?) and pushing your work in new directions. Stillwater is a remarkable place to photograph. A bit of New England right here in the Upper Midwest. It would be a good location for a photo center and gallery, especially the gallery; there are so many folks from the Cities that venture out to Stillwater for a quick and enjoyable day trip.

[DaveBell]

I am getting decent results between 4 and 6 minutes, with the collodion staying wet the whole time. Much longer than that and it starts to dry out. This is at about 80 degrees or less, here in the mid-west.

I've never done any collodion work, so may be way off-base here, but for pinhole, would it be possible to put a source of moisture in the camera body to extend the working time? Maybe a tray with a sponge and warm water?

Dave

[indian101scout]

I've never done any collodion work, so may be way off-base here, but for pinhole, would it be possible to put a source of moisture in the camera body to extend the working time? Maybe a tray with a sponge and warm water?

Dave

I have indeed heard of people putting a paper towel (or two) soaked with hot water in their pinhole camera for added moisture to extend exposure time. The construction of my current 4x5 pinhole does not allow for this, but when I make a larger camera I will be able to give this method a try.

[mad nana]

nice work, I have been contemplating some pinplates too, I hear there is no issue with reciprocity with collodion, how have you been finding it.