Wet Plate Collodion Workshops

with Dan Hawkins

The wet plate collodion process was first introduced in the 1850’s. It’s a process that requires tin, glass, or photographic medium to be coated, sensitized, exposed, and developed within about fifteen minutes. If working in the field, it requires a portable darkroom for development. Though the overall experience can be delicate and cumbersome, it renders each plate a one-of-a-kind art piece.

These intensive one-day and two-day workshops led by experienced wet plate photographer Dan Hawkins gets you preparing plates, making exposures, developing, and varnishing your own wet collodion plates. Ideal for any photographer who wants to try something new –  you can achieve results you will be proud of, and of course, you get to keep your work.

What will I learn?
• How to set up a wet plate collodion, equipment, chemicals and workspace

• How to prepare plates for wet plate collodion photography

• How to make exposures and developing 

• How to varnish your own wet collodion plates

What do we provide?
Everything is supplied, including 5 x 4 cameras, lights, all chemistry, clear glass, black glass and metal plates. Bring a steady hand and be prepared to fall in love with this most bewitching of processes! Bring some props for your still life image or portrait, for example, fruit, flowers, pottery, interesting objects.