Up earlier than usual yesterday morning. The forecast was calling for it to be a sunny, and warm day, and after the bought of cold rainy weather that we have been having I wanted to load up my camera gear, and go for a ride. So, at midnight I fired up the ovens at Fulton Stall Market, selected my music play list, and began mixing dough.
Six hours later I had a baked goods display of pain au chocolate, schnecken, bagels, and various loaves of bread. pots, and pans washed, floor swept, and mopped, and I was out the door.
Whilst my B.O.B. trailer is being retrofitted I borrowed a two wheeled model, and loaded it up. A large Pelican case that has been converted into a portable darkroom also held my Kodak 8×10 camera. The remainder of my gear was distributed throughout my panniers. In the front panniers were two gallons of water, a bottle of colloidian, developer, and silver nitrate. The rear panniers held developing trays, film backs, film holder, and tintype plates. Heavy does not begin to describe how this all felt as I made my way up the West side.
I must have missed the memo that said it was National pedestrians walking four abreast in the bicycle lane day. A sea of people adrift in front of me. All accupied with their phones. Maddening. I rounded Battery Park, and set a course for the George Washington Bridge, and the little red lighthouse. Slow bell.
In sight of my destination. The number of people out walking, and on bicycles was impressive considering the stay at home orders. most everyone was wearing a mask, and though you could not see most of the faces you could tell they were happy. Just glad to be out on a warm, sunny day. My cargo had shifted, and I pulled over to make some adjustments. When I got back on the path I noticed that my iPhone was missing from the holder. At some point during my ride it had fallen out. my mood darkened a bit, but I pressed on.
It was not long before I had reached my destination. I dismounted Sweetpea, and surveyed the area, but was a little dismayed at the number of people swarming about. I was so used to being here in the early morning hours ,when few people were about, that this crowd was made me reconsider my plans. The clouds rolled in, and that seemed like a sign. I had a quick lunch of sardines, and gouda cheese, double checked the trailer, and headed back to lower Manhattan.
About the halfway point on my return I stopped to admire one of the old railcar ferry terminals. Long before bridges, and tunnels the Hudson, and East rivers were a serious impediment to rail transport. The solution was simple. When the tracks reached the shore the rail cars were rolled onto massive barges, towed across the river, and reconnected on the other side. The shores of Manhattan were once lined with piers, ferry terminals, and these railcar terminals. This one stands alone. The once bustling waterfront is now a park. where longshoreman, and various waterfront riff raff once held domain, is now occupied by kids on bicycles, couples holding hands, and nannies pushing strollers.
The clouds parted, and the sun was out again. I looked at the rusting structure again, and began to set up my camera gear. Tripod out, and camera mounted. I positioned it out of the way of passersby, and then set up my dark box. Halfhearted at first, and still a little upset about the loss of my phone, I went through the motions of pouring a plate. Loaded, exposed, and developed. A little underexposed. back to the box to pour another plate. The second one was better, but still dark. I had forgotten about my phone, the crowds of people, and any other concerns other than exposure times. Just me, my bicycle, and my camera.
A few people stopped to ask questions, which I gladly answered. several wanted to know if the could photograph my tintypes, and did I have a business card, or social media presence. One young woman was so curios about the process, and also asked if she could take a photo of my work. “yes you may” I said, “and you may have one of the tintypes too”
The third tintype was the best. Perhaps the next one would be a little better, but I had run out of water, and it was time to pack up and make the journey home. The ride back was just as crowded with pedestrians. I was still missing my camera, and the pandemic was still of concern, but I was happy with my life just because I could spend a few hours with Sweetpea, and my camera.
Webster’s Wet Plate 
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