Wet Plate: A Potted History

On Mark Tucker‘s blog, I’ve just stumbled across a potted history of the wet plate collodion process by George Eastman House.

The original work of the 1850s is often so beautiful. Some of it is shown in their short video, not least a stunning glass negative of an American steam locomotive.

During the commentary, the narrator mentions one of the aspects that I love about wet plate — that each one has a narrative derived from the very hand of the photographer. Every part of a wet plate tells a story in some way, whether it’s to do with the content or the process.

Lovely to see the famous image of Roger Fenton’s Photographic Van featured too.

Anyway, enjoy a few moments with this…

http://youtu.be/–PAAJZRbn8

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  1. Really moving to see the Civil War soldiers sending tin plate photos home to their loved ones … thank you for sharing! Fascinating post as always Jack, and love Dr King Schultz’s van! (silent ‘D’!) Jane ; )