I spent this beautiful spring morning having my photo taken by one of my personal favorite photographers, Corey Prince. This is not an easy thing to do, we have been trying to schedule this for awhile, even had to cancel due to weather last week. See this is not your normal portrait session, this was 1800 style. He took 3 shots in 2.5 hours, while I documented the process with my camera, 40 shots on my side. Set up the shot, get the focus lined up, then head to the darkroom to sensitize the plate, about 5 minutes later go back to the camera, verify the focus, add the plate, tell the subject not to move, expose the plate by removing the homemade lens cap, we were doing about 7 seconds with the light available. Cap the camera, pull the plate, head back to the darkroom, developer, bath, fixer, all under red light and watch the magic. Put in the drying rack which it will stay for about a day, then it will be scanned, then heated over a flame so the varnish can be added. I should get my final photos later this week.

In between all that, we were geeking out about the equipment and the process. I am trained as a film photographer, actually have taught and had my own dark room. Corey has taken it few steps further into the past and has learned from some of the master of this plate photography process. A great way to spend a morning. And for a person who really does not have many photos of themselves, nor really like having a photo taken, I will cherish these. Dan calls the one where I am looking away my Darwin impression.

tr/trp