Wet Plate Collodion
with Bill Schwab

Cross Village, Michigan
June 20 - 22, 2011

Skill Level: All
Fee: $400.00 (includes all lab fees)
Limited to 6 participants (Only 1 Space Available!)

Free Camping Available**

Come up to the beautiful north woods of Michigan and learn the wet plate collodion process with me this summer! All equipment and chemistry will be provided, so all you need do is show up with the will to learn an exciting photographic process.

Perhaps a reaction to the push button, digital world or maybe simply a desire to get back to basics, the collodion or wet plate process has been undergoing an increasing wave of interest over the past few years. And while it can be an extremely expressive and addictive process, it can be a bit complicated at first. Due to some of the chemistry involved, it also needs to be handled with a degree of care that is a touch above the average darkroom. Speaking from experience it helps a great deal to be able to watch and work with someone experienced with the process as the method and materials can be somewhat intimidating. This is why I offer this beginner's course. It helps you familiarize yourself with the process, handling of chemistry and is designed to give a good base of experience to build upon.

This course will first cover chemistry, formulas and safe handling. We will first meet in the evening, Monday, June 20 where we will mix collodion*, silver nitrate solution as well as developer and fixing baths that we will need over the next 2 days of making plates. All chemistry and materials used during the course will be provided.

You will then begin Saturday morning by pouring your first plates and becoming familiar with sensitization, exposure and processing. By noon of this day, you will have made your first collodion photographs and should be completely hooked on the process. We will work throughout the day practicing your trchnique and creating plates.

Although there will be a demonstration of glass plate negative creation, you will be concentrating on positives made on aluminum, or "Tin Types" as they are commonly known. You will also be making positive plates using colored and clear glass, or "Ambrotypes". By the end of your first day, you will have poured and exposed several plates of your own and will be ready for our next day.

The final day of your workshop will be spent working in the field. I have a mobile darkroom that will allow us to go out into the surrounding landscape to work while getting a taste of what it is like to create plates on location. Also demonstrated and available will be a Darkbox, or small portable darkroom.

**We are located on 11 acres of beautiful Northern Michigan woodland and rustic camping is available to all who attend. Water and limited electric is available as is a community fire pit and rustic toilet facilities. For those that like a little more comfort, we have a discount arrangement at the nearby Birchwood Inn for this workshop. You will be responsible for your own reservations as the event draws near.

Links have also been provided in the right column that may be of help in making your decision, finding an alternate place to stay and getting a feel for the area.

Once registered, you will be sent more information, maps, etc. as the event draws near. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us and someone will get back with you soon. We will do our best to help with your arrangements.

Thank You!

Bill Schwab

*Collodion contains ether and the smell may cause nausea or aggravate existing respiratory ailments in some. Please be advised that if you fall into this category, you may not wish to attend.

Register Here!

Workshop Fee: $400.00
Includes all equipment and materials needed.

Pay Deposit of $100.00
and reserve your spot.

Balance due May 1, 2011

Or Pay in full now - $400.00

(No Refunds after June 1, 2010)
 

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