Dry and Wet Plate Collodion on Glass

The wet-collodion method is one of the most popular alternative processes in the world today. Capable of producing one-of-a-kind ambrotypes and tintype positives, the wet-collodion process can also be used to make glass negatives that can be perfectly matched for all historic and modern photographic printing processes.

In this workshop, participants are first guided through the basics of making positive wet-collodion images using a conventional darkroom. Later in the week, portable darkrooms will be used to allow shooting on the grounds of the Abbey. The dry-collodion negative variant will also be taught. This rare technique enables photographers to sensitize plates many days before shooting, allowing the freedom to work without a silver bath or portable darkroom on site.

This workshop is a collaboration between the Fox Talbot Museum and George Eastman House, it is taught by Mark Osterman and France Scully Osterman, a couple well-known as respected artists and photo historians. They were the first to publish, exhibit as art and teach the history, aesthetics and process of collodion photography. The workshop includes discussions on the evolution of the collodion process and viewing historic sample images. Complete instructions and formulas will be included in the selected readings. No prior wet-plate collodion experience is necessary.