The City as subject

The wet plate process, once mastered, is relatively quick. From start to finish, excluding washing time and varnishing of the plate, an image can be produced in just a few minutes. A life time compared to an electronically manufactured picture made with a cheap digital camera, but when the wet plate process first came out it revolutionized photography.

The one draw back is the need for a darkroom close at hand. I solved this problem by designing, and building a handy darkroom cart. By modifying a garden cart from the local hardware store I was ready to go.

Though portraits are my favorite subject, I found it much easier to fine tune my method with something that was more patient. The buildings and bridges of New York City fit the bill perfectly.

I live not far from the Brooklyn Bridge, and once my darkroom cart was built and ready to go, it became one of my favorite. It is not uncommon for me to find a nice location, and to spend an entire day shooting. Part of that time is spent talking with people, answering questions, but the bulk of it is photography. Without the cart it would be near impossible to haul around all the gear needed. The gallons of water alone weight a good twenty pounds.

Mornings are the best times, and I often set out before the Sun has risen, in order to reach my destination in time to set up and capture the best light. I am lucky that I need not go far to find something worth photographing.