Author Archives: Paul W. Dorr

With a small number of plates stacking up I figured it was time to get some varnish work done. I am always a little hesitant, as I run the risk of fouling up a nice image by doing a lousy varnish pour. Practice makes perfect though, and I need the practice. The big challenge forContinue reading “Varnish day”

Calling for rain later today, and it feels it. Rather than spend the entire day indoors I opted to set our early to see about making a few tintypes. Loaded up the wagon, and headed for The Bridge. This was both the warmest day of working with collodion, and by far the most humid. ByContinue reading “Hot, and humid”

Felt a little sluggish this morning. I wanted to take advantage of the early morning light along with the cooler weather, but did not want to deal with the bicycle hookup. I compromised by just loading up the trailer, and hauling it down to the end of the pier. A nice little breeze off theContinue reading “Early morning tintype”

I have, over the years, managed to collect a rather sizable number of cameras. 35mm, medium format, 4×5 box cameras, and a number of speed graphics. I was twenty four when I purchased my first speed graphic camera. I actually bought two at the same time out of the back of a car in theContinue reading “Down sizing”

It has been awhile since my last post, and wet plate work. Other things to do, and the hot weather has kept me away. Awoke the other morning to temperatures in the mid sixties, and decided it was high time I got my gear back out to make a few tintypes. I was fortunate inContinue reading “Back at it.”

Until it wasn’t. The sailing ship Stad Amsterdam came into port the other day, and is berthed on the neighboring pier in the seaport. I managed to get a decent tintype yesterday, and set out early this morning to see about getting a few more. I went to do a second plate, but noticed aContinue reading “Good day Sunshine”

The past few days here in The City have been well into the upper eighties. A bit early for me, but next week looks to be more seasonable. Humidity is low which is a blessing. The wet plate process, like myself, does not like high temperatures. The ether begins to boil at around ninety degrees,Continue reading “Morning work”

Awoke this morning to the sound of rain, brewed a pot off coffee, and planned my day. Nothing pressing, so I poured another cup, and enjoyed the solitude of an early start. Breakfast dishes done, and put away. Time to find a project. A good day to get in the dark room,, and sort throughContinue reading “A day of organizing”

Yesterday’s wet plate adventure was just about the most frustrating in a long time. Nothing was working as expected. I made the decision to get up early again the following day, and try again. I suspected that part of the problem was the cold weather, and the effect it had on the developing. I keptContinue reading “Bridge Day.”

I awoke this morning a few hours before the Sun. Looked at the thermometer, and decided to brew a large pot of coffee. Temps below freezing, and it did not look as though it would warm any time soon. I had loaded up my trailer the night before with hopes of getting an early start,Continue reading “Lessons learned”