Dry Plate

[Alpacaman]

My, I haven't posted here in a long time. Everything is as I remembered! Good or bad, I do not know...

But anyway.

I am seeking to get into some dry plate large format work, maybe using glass or paper as a base for the emulsion. I may end up making the camera myself, I may not. Little is finalised - except that I wish to make the emulsion myself. None of that bought Liquid Light stuff. I am a student on the most minuscle of budgets.

Dry plate because I do not have the temerity to carry a darkroom around with me. However, I need a recipe for the sensitive element itself - this I am struggling to find. Here is the basic process, but as you may see, it uses Liquid Light (that link stopped working for me 1/2 an hour ago for some reason, maybe it will start working again, maybe not).

Any help would be much appreciated! :angel:

Cheers,
Michael

 

[Georgeboosh]

The Light Farm website has a lot of info on making emulsions from scratch and coating dry plates and film and seems like a good place to start.

http://www.thelightfarm.com/


One emulsion recipe is here:
http://www.thelightfarm.com/Map/GlassNegatives/GlassNegativesPart1.htm

There are others if you browse the site.

 

[Alpacaman]

Yes! This is fantastic stuff, sure to keep me in good procrastination for a few hours at least. From what I have read, there is lots of helpful info there. Thanks for the link.

 

[jwc57]

I have always wondered about the story behind this site. It is interesting in concept, especially the section on making 35mm glass plates for a SLR. The web address reads like it is a promotion from the Costa Rica coffee growers association.

http://www.costaricacoffeeart.com/alternative_photography_make_your_own_negative_film_or_plates.php

 

[Alpacaman]

That is a bizarre url! But some intresting things in there, worth the experimentation. Cheers.

 

[sepiareverb]

I cannot seem to find the link to a very complete book & DVD set by Ron Mowry (on apug as Photo Engineer) about emulsion making. He is extremely knowledgable about this stuff, the book - while pricey - is likely all you'd ever need.

This might have some basics, as might Keepers of The Light if you can find that older book.

 

[Jerevan]

The Ron Mowrey book/DVD can be found at http://stores.photoformulary.com/-strse-Alt-Process/Categories.bok or at www.fotoimpex.de

The Light Farm is really a good place to start off with.