Wet Plate Collodion Is Alive and Well

Each and every day the world is filled with millions and millions of digital photographs that have no value, character, significance or physical form. That is not the case with a wet plate. The wet plate process is magical and the end result is tangible and precious. Digital photography of today relies on technology. Wet plate photography relies on 160 year old chemistry, a bit of magic, and some luck. I think it is very important that as technology moves forward, we embrace and continue to celebrate and not forget important processes from the past. Wet plate photography is one of those processes. I am very proud to be one of five artists pouring wet plates in the state of North Dakota at this time. Every time I show someone the wet plate process, they are absolutely amazed. The process gives us a photograph from some chemicals and pieces of glass that I cut by hand.