| Dry Plate Negatives and Collodion Chloride Prints

Dry Plate Negatives and Collodion Chloride Prints

Related workshop: This class is also part of the Historic Photographic Processes with Brenton Hamilton: 6-Week Intensive.

This is an introductory course that covers the process of making dry plate negatives and using those negatives to print on handmade collodion chloride paper. 

Dry plate negatives, introduced in the 1870s, revolutionized photography by replacing the cumbersome wet collodion process with a more convenient and portable method. These glass plates were coated with a gelatin emulsion that remained sensitive to light even when dry, allowing photographers greater flexibility and longer periods between exposure and development. This innovation significantly contributed to the widespread adoption of photography, enabling both amateur and professional photographers to capture detailed images with greater ease and reliability.

Students will learn how to prepare a silver emulsion and coat glass plates. We will then use the plates to make new images during the 5-day workshop. A 4×5 view camera will be available for the class to share, and bringing your own 4×5 camera is welcome. You will also learn how to prepare the collodion chloride paper, which you will use to print your new glass negatives. Gold toning of the prints will be covered.

Students will leave the workshop with an understanding of the dry plate in photographic history. Students will also leave with their current experience, working knowledge, and techniques related to these two historical processes, along with a handful of negatives and images.