Can Blue Moon Camera Develop Dry Plates?

In the early days of photography, the wet plate collodion process and later dry plate technology paved the way for the art form we know today. The wet plate process, introduced in the 1850s, involved coating a glass plate with a collodion solution and then immersing it in a silver nitrate bath while still wet to create a light-sensitive surface. This cumbersome technique required a portable darkroom and must be completed before the plate dried.

Dry plates, first developed in the 1870s, were a game-changer. These pre-coated glass plates could be stored and exposed later, making photography more convenient and accessible. Though less light-sensitive than wet plates, dry plates opened up new possibilities for photographers.

Today, a small but passionate community of photographers has rediscovered these historical processes, drawn by their unique aesthetics, hands-on craftsmanship, and connection to photography’s roots. This article, “Can Blue Moon Camera Develop Dry Plates?” explores whether Blue Moon Camera can develop dry plates and how it supports photographers embracing this classic format.

What are Wet Plate and Dry Plate Processes?

Wet Plate Process

The wet plate photographic process, also known as the collodion process, was one of the earliest photographic techniques widely used in the mid-19th century. It involved coating a glass plate with a viscous solution of collodion (nitrated cotton dissolved in ether and alcohol) containing dissolved salts. This created a light-sensitive emulsion on the plate’s surface. 

The coated plate had to be exposed and developed while still wet, hence the “wet plate.” After exposure to the camera, the plate was quickly developed, fixed, and varnished before the emulsion dried. This made the wet plate process cumbersome and time-sensitive, requiring a portable darkroom for on-site development.

Dry Plate Process

The dry plate process was a significant advancement that made photography more convenient. Introduced in the late 1870s, it used glass plates coated with a dried emulsion of gelatin and silver salts, similar to modern film. These pre-coated “dry plates” were light-sensitive and could be exposed and stored for later development.

Unlike wet plates, dry plates did not require immediate development, allowing photographers to work more freely without a portable darkroom. The dry plate process paved the way for more widespread adoption of photography and eventually led to the development of flexible film stock.

Both wet and dry plate processes produced negatives on glass plates, then used to create positive prints on paper. While largely replaced by more modern technologies, these historical processes are still practiced today by some photographers for their artistic qualities and connection to the roots of photography.

The Appeal of Historical Photographic Processes

Digital photography offers convenience and flexibility, but it still holds a special appeal for photographers due to its unique aesthetic qualities and hands-on nature. Historical photographic processes like wet plate collodion and dry plate photography connect intimately to the craft, unlocking new artistic possibilities. These methods require patience, precision, and appreciation for the art’s rich traditions.

The tactile experience of working with physical materials like glass plates and chemistry imbues image-making with a sense of mindfulness often lost in today’s digital world. Photographers can follow in the footsteps of photographic pioneers, who have experienced the same techniques employed by Daguerre, Hill, and Muybridge over a century ago. The unique qualities of wet and dry plate images possess an ethereal, almost otherworldly beauty, departing from the clinical perfection of digital files. This allows artists to create evocative, dreamlike imagery steeped in historical aesthetics.

Can Blue Moon Camera Develop Dry Plates?

Dry plates, a timeless photographic medium, are popular among analog enthusiasts due to their precise handling and specialized development techniques. Blue Moon Camera & Machine, a trusted destination for film and alternative photographic processes, can develop dry plates, including J. Lane Dry Plates, a popular choice among dry plate photographers. Developing dry plates is meticulous, requiring specific chemistry and equipment to ensure image integrity.

Blue Moon Camera offers development services, guidance for photographers new to this medium, and mail-in orders for worldwide accessibility. They also stock J. Lane Dry Plates in various sizes, making them a one-stop destination for supplies and processing. Their commitment to supporting analog photographers reinforces their role as a cornerstone of the analog photography community.

Contacting Blue Moon Camera for detailed guidance or to confirm their latest services is essential. Embracing historical techniques brings a unique charm and depth to modern photography, and with experts like Blue Moon Camera, this art form remains vibrant and accessible.

Using Dry Plates with Modern Large Format Cameras

Dry plates can be easily used with most modern large-format cameras. The key requirement is having a double-sided plate holder that can accommodate the glass plates. When ready to expose the other side, these holders allow you to load and flip the plate.

Most large-format cameras from 4×5 up to 8×10 will accept standard plate holders for those formats. If shooting dry plates with an older wooden camera, you’ll want to ensure the plate holder’s dimensions will fit properly. However, many contemporary large-format cameras are designed to work with various older equipment and processes, like dry plates.

In addition to a plate holder, you’ll need a dark tent, changing bag, or room to load your plate. Dry plates are light-sensitive, so they must be loaded and unloaded in complete darkness. Other than that, shooting dry plates requires a large-format camera, lens, and a way to provide the exposure, whether in the field with a lens cap or in the studio with an enlarger or UV light source.

The beauty of dry plates is that they can be used just like modern film holders. You’ll go through the same familiar processes of careful loading, metering, focusing, and exposing. The real differences come in during development. However, the ability to use dry plates in modern large-format cameras helps make this historical process quite accessible for today’s photographers.

Developing and Processing Dry Plates

The development process for dry plates is quite involved compared to modern film. It typically involves several steps:

• Developing: After exposure to the camera, the latent image on the plate must be developed. This uses a specialized alkaline developer solution to reduce the exposed silver halides to metallic silver, making the image visible.
• Fixing: The undeveloped silver halides must be removed, and the image must be fixed. This is done using sodium thiosulfate or a similar fixing solution.
• Washing: Thorough washing is required to remove all residual chemicals from the emulsion coating on the plate.
• Drying: The processed plate must be carefully dried before varnishing or other final steps.

Many photographers enjoy the hands-on nature of this traditional wet processing technique. Proper darkroom facilities are required, including trays/tanks for the various chemical baths and a light-safe area for loading/unloading plates. The fumes from some of the chemicals also necessitate good ventilation.  

While labor-intensive, learning the dry plate processing methods connects the modern photographer directly to the photographic practices of the late 19th and early 20th centuries when this was the standard image-making process. It prompts a deeper appreciation for the craft and pioneers who advanced photography to what it is today.

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Conclusion

Exploring historical photographic processes like wet and dry plate photography allows modern photographers to connect with the medium’s roots tangibly. While challenging and requiring specialized equipment and materials, the craft of coating, exposing, and developing dry plates enables photographers to experience the labor and artistry involved in early photography.

The dry plates offered by suppliers like Blue Moon Camera make this piece of photographic history accessible to contemporary practitioners. Despite their current limited availability, dry plates open up unique artistic possibilities through their low sensitivity, extended tonal range, and distinctive look and feel. The very process of working with dry plates encourages a slower, more contemplative approach to image-making.

For photographers drawn to alternative processes and historical techniques, dry plate photography represents a way to quite literally follow in the footsteps of photography’s pioneers while still allowing room for modern creativity and personal expression. While challenging, the rewards of this hands-on craft and its connection to photography’s origins can be immensely satisfying for those willing to embrace it.