Alexey Alexeev Ambrotype Photography

Wet-Plate Collodion Process was invented by Frederick Scott Archer in 1851. The process was safer and more convenient than its predecessor the Daguerreotype, and much sharper than its contemporary the Calotype, but wetplate collodion still required the proximity of a darkroom and the preparation, exposure, and processing of the plate all within a matter of minutes.

PROCESS STAGES

Polishing A Glass Plate. I polish with whiting and water using special clamp.
Pouring Collodion. I pour a sufficient amount of collodion on a plate, spread it on surfase and pour off excess from a corner.
Sensitizing A Plate. I pu a plate into a special vertical bath filled up with a silver nitrate solution for about 4 minutes. And put a plate into a holder after that
Exposure. My ususal exposure time for a portraits is 3-6 seconds.
Developing A Plate. I develop a plate by hand under red light. I pour on sufficient amount of developer and spread it over surface of the plate. I use tap water to stop development process.
Fixing A Plate. I fix the plate in a sodium or ammonium thiosulfate solution for a minute or two on a bright light.