Markus HofstätterStoryboardWorld Wet Plate DayCurated byMarkus HofstätterEvery first Saturday in May is World Wet Plate Day. On this date, people around the world marvel at this technique from a bygone era. If you haven't seen a wet collodion plate, it's a beautiful image made of silver on a metal or glass plate. This collection features many examples of this time-consuming work, from photographers like myself who cherish it as an artform. You can explore more at wetplateday.org or in my Flipboard Magazines.
Markus HofstätterStoryboardLet’s talk AICurated byMarkus HofstätterWhen photographers talk about AI, it ends up often in a emotional debate. There are many aspects of AI that affects us all. And with that there are lots of unanswered questions. To find answers, we setup a live stream on the 25th of September with Sony world photography award winner Boris Eldagsen, wet plate artist Shane Balkowitsch and portrait photographer Markus Hofstätter who focuses his work also on the wet collodion process. This storyboard contains articles we will discuss.
Markus HofstätterStoryboardUnique Lenses I use for tintypes and ambrotypesCurated byMarkus HofstätterI enjoy shooting portraits the most, but I am also a curious person and because of that I am always looking for some new projects and experiments. In this storyboard you will find all of these interesting and wired lenses that I mounted on one of my large format cameras. Get some snacks, something to drink and enjoy the ride.
Markus HofstätterStoryboardWonderful flips about tintypes and ambrotypesCurated byMarkus HofstätterSometimes there is no category to sum up the kinds of articles you love. You will find here all kinds of different reads and videos about the beautiful wet plate process. These stories are filled with deceleration, unique moments and historic gear that was used by masters from the last century. Get yourself something to drink and some snacks before you follow me into the collodion rabbit hole. Enjoy the ride and experience the beginning of photography.
Markus HofstätterStoryboardwet plate portraitureCurated byMarkus HofstätterPortraiture is not about any gear and process, it is mostly about communication and empathy. With fast shooting cameras you can start a conversation and freeze the moment that you like. That is different with using the wet collodion process. You work together with your sitter for this one portrait that freezes time into pure silver on a plate. Slowing down and disconnecting from our fast moving world can make things easier, but thats not always the case.
Markus HofstätterStoryboardanalog photography and wet plate DIY how to'sCurated byMarkus HofstätterIs your ground glass broken, or do you need a waterhouse stops for your lens? Plate holders, lens supports or lens caps, there is so much that you can build by yourself and safe money by doing it. Often these things have easy solutions, let me show you how to do it.
Markus HofstätterStoryboardbringing historic photography gear back to lifeCurated byMarkus HofstätterWhen you buy old large format cameras or lenses, there is often something broken or needs renovation. Restaurating old gear is fun, satisfying and often easy to do. Or as I say it, when there's a 3D printer there's a way :). Engineers back then had a big interest to build products that lasts forever. Often they did not care about design or weight, they just wanted you to have the best they got. Just think about who may have worked with it 100 years ago and who set in front of it.
Markus HofstätterStoryboardwet plate how to'sCurated byMarkus HofstätterThere are many descriptions out there that bring a brief overview of my favourite process. But the devil is in the detail as they say. Lets dig into the details and find out more how certain things are done. The best learning experience is a workshop from my point of view, but this is a good start.
Markus HofstätterStoryboardwet plate experimentsCurated byMarkus HofstätterHow far can you bend this process. Is there something you can't do? Lets find out together
Markus HofstätterStoryboardWET PLATE GEARCurated byMarkus HofstätterThere are lots of tools you need for shooting wet plates. Some of them are available in your next diy market, others are build especially for this process. Lets bring them all together here.