OxBow School of Art Wet-Plate Collodion & Platinotypes July 15-July 28, 2018 Jaclyn Silverman [email protected] ​ Robert Clarke-Davis [email protected] ​

Combined two week session: Week 1 + Week 2 JULY 15-28 (609 001 3 CREDIT HOURS ​

Individual : Week 1: Wet Plate Collodion JULY 15-22 PHOTO 610 001 (1 CREDIT HOUR) ​ Week 2: Platinotypes JULY 22-28 PHOTO 610 002 (1 CREDIT HOUR) ​

Course description: Wet-plate collodion; students will explore the fundamentals of large format using analog view cameras to create glass-plate negatives, , and in the field. Mobile, onsite darkrooms will allow instant gauging in progress and results. Glass plates can stand alone as photographic objects, or be reproduced in photographic printing.

Course expectation: Wet-plate collodion is a highly physically labor intensive historic slow photo process that is done successfully with ​ ​ sunlight. Students will work as a community, in small groups, making plates during available sunlight, around, but not limited to, OxBow. When sunlight is no longer available, processed plates are to be sealed, while new glass is to be cleaned for the next day. Throughout the course we will look at references, discuss mistakes and successes, share helpful work flows, and engage in critique conversation. Students are responsible for aiding in cleaning up chemistry and facilities at the end of each class as well as practicing respect, responsibility and safety for others and the materials used in this course. As an outcome, each student will create a set or series of unique glass plate negatives communicating their style and individual subject matter of choice.

Safety: The wet-plate uses the following chemicals: ethyl ether, , collodion, , potassium bromide, sodium iodide, sodium thiosulfate, grain alcohol, lavender oil, and sandarac gum. These chemicals allow us to continue one of the first photographic processes. Your safety is top priority. It is important to stay hydrated during this process Disposable surgical masks and nitrile gloves are necessary for this course. We are working with ​ chemicals that can cause faintness, dizziness, skin and lung irritation. Please be aware of the chemical list and listen to your body. If you have certain allergies, sensitivities, or concerns please contact us before this course.

We advise wearing old clothing and closed toed shoes/outdoor sandals. We will be reviewing the very necessary safety information for the course on the first day, but that information will also be available to you via online. It must be noted that we are working with heavy metals and rather toxic chemicals - any form of skin exposure, ingestion, and extreme inhalation is a health hazard. We have created a course that minimizes the exposure and is for your safety and ​ the safety of our community. Please take all measures necessary to make yourself safe during this course.

Course supplies: For plates: -Standard thickness (.08) Glass cut into quarter plates 3.25” x 4.25” (a total of 10 plates; glass can be purchased and cut at any local hardware or frame shop) -Standard thickness (.024 gage) Quarter Plate Tin ​ ​ (1 package contains 25 tin plates. Please purchase here Lund Photographics) ​ ​ - storage box for plates -*hard drive/thumb drive -glassine envelopes ​

For safety: - nitrile gloves (2 boxes) -*disposable surgical masks -*vinyl apron -wrist watch/stopwatch (not cell phone)

Schedule: S July 15 Greetings and introductions of each other and the course Examples and brief history Chemical & Process Safety Demo: the camera + , negative, and example.

M July 16 Review chemicals, cameras, and safety Review light meter, exposure, and timing Review process (tintypes & ambrotypes) Prepare glass and materials Location & Subject Matter Collecting/ Scouting Wet-plate in the field (making plates) Clean up and end-of-day discussion

T July 17 Review daily expectations Wet-plate in the field (making tintypes & ambrotypes) Must take exposure notes in notebook Review, share and troubleshoot at the end-of-day discussion

W July 18 Introduce process of making glass negatives Wet-plate in the field (making negatives and ambrotypes) Compare/contrast differences Demo: plate drying, varnishing, and storage Review, share and troubleshoot at the end-of-day discussion Dry & Varnish finished plates

R July 19 Wet-plate in the field (making plates) Review, share and troubleshoot at the end-of-day discussion Dry & Varnish finished plates

F July 20 Clean up studio and critique

S July 21 Wet-plate in the field (final work day, conversation & wet process clean up)

S July 22 Field work field trip research