A few new portraits

I've been working for a long time on making my collodion outfit really workable for doing portraits.  As a creative form, I've admired many portraits, but I admit they've not been something I really was compelled to make myself.  But I do love the look of a tintype portrait.

Here are some plates I did a few weeks ago, experimenting with some new lenses, trying varying crops and lighting schemes.

Linda Sears

This was the best of the bunch.  I like the closeness of it.  The light is more frontal, with an open window for fill (you can see it in her glasses).  I was worried that the head being cut off at the top would be distracting, but I don't really even notice it.  The light backdrop is my slide-projector screen.

Linda Sears

Another one of my wife, this one closer in, about a tight as I'm able to manage, and I'm happy with that.  The close crop effectively eliminates the backdrop, making her hair the real framing for her face.  This one is with a smaller light for a fill, making her cheek on the right come out of the darkness.

Erdal Paksoy

Erdal, my brother-in-law.  I had him sit in a wingback chair, to get good head support for the long exposures.  I think his look is very pensive.

Jules Sears

Jules, wife of Erdal and sister to Linda.  I was really happy with this one, her look is intense but natural and the shoulder-tilt is effective.

Bryan Wing

Bryan is a student at Collin College who wanted to learn wet plate, we have a project idea we are working on-  tintypes of competitive beard-growing contenstants.  Should be fun!

Me

I can't rightfully put others in front of the camera if I'm not willing to go there myself, so, a quick self-portrait in my darkroom apron.

For a first few efforts, I think this is some success!  But there are more kinks to work out and things to perfect.  Onward and upward.

A new project opening Sat Jan 14

Chris Tinnen and I have been collaborating on a project that will open at 500X on Saturday Jan 14- the Society for Olfactory Preservation.

 

The Society for Olfactory Preservation: A Manifesto

We, the members of the Society for Olfactory Preservation, or SOP, wish to present a few specimens of some of the most celebrated historical odors, which we have painstakingly kept intact for the benefit of humankind.  We believe that the tyranny of the visual and textual has overtaken the most significant of all human senses for the most accurate understanding of our history, that is, the sense of smell.  It is a well-known fact of science that the olfactory sense is the one most tied to memory.  To truly experience these pivotal historical moments, it is imperative that one imbibes through the sensitive organ of the nose.

The odors that you will be privy to inhale have been preserved in their original inviolate forms through the centuries.  Members of our elite society have been meticulously collecting these samples for hundreds and even thousands of years with the knowledge that future generations will apprehend these historic moments most completely upon experiencing the exhibit.  We advise that you approach each specimen with some trepidation as the intensity of the scent concentrate will transport you to another time and place, and this may prove disorienting.  Ladies may wish to have a gentleman present to aid her if she should faint.

(Giving credit when it is due- wife Linda wrote the manifesto after listening to Chris and I ramble on)

The idea originally came up a few years ago- Chris and Lupita Tinned were over at Linda's and my house a few years ago and some ideas were flying around the room, and it just sort of came to Chris and I almost spontaneously- The Museum of Smell - and we looked at each other and said, "We have to do this."  It's about four years later, (maybe five) but here is the first incarnation.

We're installing on Friday.  Chris is making the pedestals (which will probably be the best pedestals ever made) and I have been working on the "Interactive Olfactory Dispensers" which, oddly enough, look a lot like little cameras.

Damaged as we all are

A small project, which I decided to whip out last week- twisted and mangled silverware.


Tenatively, I'm calling it "Service for Four".  The plates are small, 3"x4", and will be presented grid-style.

A few details of the individual plates-