My Name In Hebrew from Rabbi Dov

Rabbi Dov While researching how my name is written in Hebrew, I was emailed this site, (The Hebrew Name) by my friend Zoltan (thank you!) in Budapest. Zoltan and his wife, Sherri, recommended that I find a Scribe, or sofer stam, and have my name written the right way! I couldn’t agree more, great advice!

Rabbi Dov pulled a piece of parchment and did what he does best, wrote my name in Hebrew. A name is a powerful thing. And when it’s a Hebrew name, even more so (IMO). I think it’s beautiful. Thank you, Rabbi.

Rabbi Dov and I had a conversation about my name, the Hebrew letters/script and briefly discussed some personal stories. Our communication will continue, he seems like a very gracious man. He is going to send me the parchment he wrote my name on, too. Update: I have the parchment framed with his letter hanging on my wall – very cool!

 

Rabbi Dov’s Parchment - “Yacobson” – Jacob was named by his father, Isaac and then G-d named him Israel. 
Digital Conversion - “Yacobson”

Making Collodion Negatives & Albumen Prints in Barcelona

I just finished a three-day marathon of making Collodion Negatives, Albumen, and Albumen paper. It was a lot of fun!8x10 Collodion Negative – 15 secs – Intensified with Copper and printed on Albumen/toned – Quinn Jacobson, Barcelona Spain November 7, 2009

People underestimate what it takes to make (Collodion) negatives. It’s not so much the actual making of the negative, it’s all the stuff that has to happen after the negative is made; (possible) intensification, making albumen, and albumen paper, sensitizing the paper, printing the image out, toning the image, fixing the image, washing the image, etc. etc. It’s a lot of work! 

We had several discussions over the last few days about why so few people make negatives/Albumen prints. My theory is that we live in a place and time where commitment to this kind of process isn’t valued, or rewarded (so much). Especially, when you can make gorgeous Collodion positive images (Ambrotypes, Tintypes, Alumitypes, etc.) in just few minutes that require a fraction of the work, equipment, supplies, and moreover commitment and patience. When you put those things together, you have very few people left that are willing to commit to the Collodion Negative and Albumen printing process.

Even the (unmatched) beauty of the Albumen print; with all of its tonal range and detail, can’t compel or persuade the masses like the positive process has. I predict that you will never see more than a few people working (not tinkering, but making serious work) in the Collodion Negative/Albumen Printing process. It’s too consuming and too difficult for all but a handful of people. And let me emphasize: Collodion Negatives and Albumen Prints – not Salt, not Centennial POP, not Collodion POP, Negatives and Albumen!

To all of those that participated in this workshop; thank you! To the Atelieretaguardia Studio; thank you! I had a wonderful time, and I look forward to seeing everyone again soon – maybe in Paris??? 

Über Wet Plate Collodion Images: Barcelona Spain

16" x 20" (40cm x 50cm) Clear Glass Ambrotype - Barcelona, SpainYou wouldn’t be exaggerating if you said that the fun never ends in Barcelona.

Not only is it a wonderful city to wander around in, you can also make über Wet Plate Collodion images here – if you know the right people: Atelieretaguardia Studio.  

Tuesday morning we set up and prepared make some ULF (Ultra or Über Large Format) clear glass positive Collodion images – 16” x 20” or 40cm x 50cm. It takes a lot of people, money and time to do this. It’s not small task. We had six people working together to produce some fine large Ambrotype portraits. The silver bath was 6 liters – that’s almost 600 Euros ($900 USD) alone! It takes special equipment, too. Large silver bath tank/holder, trays, bottles, everything must be big, including the camera and lens.

 

These were made with a German 16x20 camera. We used a 700mm f/8 Hermagis, stopped down to f/16. The first plate (watch the video below), was exposed for 20 seconds and it was spot on! On the other plates, we maxed out bellows and moved the camera as close to the sitter as possible. The images almost filled the plate. The images we made later in the morning, when the UV was blazing, had exposures as short as 10 seconds! All four images are beautiful in their own right and are very special to the entire Collodion team.

It’s extremely enjoyable making these plates. This is only my second time doing this, but this trip has inspired a new project for me when I return to the United States. Yes, you could say a project dealing with Über photographs – even super Über photographs.

 

Johanne from Norway.

Barcelona Wet Plate Workshop 2009 Part 1

We wrapped up the first workshop here in Barcelona tonight. I can’t say enough about Atelieretaguardia Studio. They are wonderful people (Rebecca, Israel, Marti and Xavi) in a wonderful place. Thank you for inviting me again and hosting these events. What incredible memories for me! Johanne from Norway.

We had 9 people in the workshop; Mercedes (Spain), Marta (Spain), Rosell (Spain), Jana (Serbia), Bryan (Serbia/Ireland), Agnes (Spain), Ramon (Spain), David (Spain), and Johanne (Norway). Thank you! I’m honored to call you friends. You made some wonderful images over the last few days! And your varnishing techniques rival the “master’s”! Congratulations for a workshop well done! I look forward to seeing you all again!

It’s late, and I’m sitting here in our apartment, a short distance from the Mediterranean Sea. I’m listening to the people in El Raval live their lives. El Raval is a special place. It’s poor and it’s real, real as in authentic. We shop at the local stores, eat at the local cafes and enjoy being “among the people” – it’s very comfortable. Say what you will about El Raval, I love it, most wouldn’t.

El Raval is a neighborhood in the Ciutat Vella district of Barcelona, Spain. The neighborhood is also known as Barri xinés, meaning "Chinatown." El Raval is one of the two historical neighborhoods that border the Rambla (the other being the Barri Gòtic). The neighborhood is home to 200,000 people.


An area historically infamous for its nightlife and cabarets, as well as prostitution and crime, El Raval has changed significantly in recent years and, due to its central location, has become a minor attraction of Barcelona. It is currently the home to a very diverse immigrant community (50% of its population was born abroad), ranging from Pakistanis and Indonesians, to a more recent Eastern European community, especially from Romania. El Raval is also becoming one of the hippest up-and-coming neighborhoods of Barcelona where many artists live and work. It is home to many bars, restaurants, and night spots. (Wiki)

We have a few days now before the next workshop. We’re sleeping in tomorrow, and when we get up, we’ll wander around El Raval, drink some Cortados, watch the people, and enjoy being alive and being in this place.

(Photo above right: “Johanne From Norway” – Quinn Jacobson 8x10 Black Glass Ambrotype - demonstration)

World Wet Plate Collodion Day Book 2009

I'm happy to announce that the Wet Plate Collodion Day Book 2009 is ready to for prime time! You can order a copy, or two from Blurb:

The Wet Plate Collodion Day Book 2009

Please keep in mind that the preview of the book sucks (quality). That's the only reason I didn't release it sooner. Caron got her copy in the US and sent me some snaps - it looks great in print, so forget about the preview.

Please spread the word about the book. And ORDER one or two copies! This is a great project to support. We need to sell 250 – 300 copies!

Thanks to every one that participated! Great job! We did it!!

8”x10”, full color, perfect bound, 92 pages, 82 images, 51 artists/photographers – great work!

Photos by Caron Gonthier (thanks!)

The Cover shot!

Inside sample.

 

Inside sample.

 

Inside sample.

And the back of the book!

"Anonymous" 4"x10" Wet Plate Collodion Ambrotype

 Annonymous Ambrotype - 4" x 10" - Clear Glass Ambrotype - Viernheim, GermanyI made this image a couple of hours ago - it was overcast and cool. I used north light (for the mask/effect). It was a 20 second exposure with my Hermagis lens ~375mm - f/9.

This plate looks a lot better when you are holding it in your hand - believe me! It's hard to copy/scan plates, but especially difficult if they are on clear glass.

Here's a snap of my new camera, too:

 

Imagine A New World 2009

The EU invited me to submit some work for the, “Imagine A New World 2009” photo competition. I think they saw my work/project here in Germany and thought that the theme fit (my assumption). Anyway, I submitted three photos/plates and one, “German Cleaning Woman #2” (this is a blonde Putzfrau with a cigarette) made it to the final cut.

Imagine a New World - In an effort to concentrate more on my personal work and less on teaching, the technical, etc., I’m going to pursue exhibitions, publications, and opportunities like this more and more. When it’s appropriate, of course. I feel that I’ve neglected my personal vision for what I really want to do in lieu of other’s desires to learn the Wet Plate Collodion process. I don’t think I’ll ever completely get away from the educational aspect but I’m going to focus more on my personal art and goals.

Normally, I think this stuff is cheesy and weird (photo competitions, etc.). However, this has a legitimate tone to it and if I do well, I’ll end up in Stockholm for the closing ceremonies and get a few Euros to help fund my project.

So, if you are interested in voting in the “People’s Choice Award” and you think I deserve six stars (how ironic), please take a minute to cast your vote. You have to register first, but it’s quick and easy. You can find my image on the third page.

GO HERE TO REGISTER or CLICK ON THE IMAGE!

Thanks! We’ll see what happens!

Self Portrait: Collodion & DNA

I have a couple of really important goals that I want to accomplish in the next few months. One of them is to make work for my project, exhibition and book.

I thought I would get creative with my time and my commitments. We are leaving Thursday for ten days and wanted to post the October Video Podcast on Chemical Pictures before we left. I also had an image in mind that I've wanted to make for a few weeks. I thought, why not make a few plates, create an image for my project and cover the podcast, too? So that's what I did today.

These image are about numbers, labeling, skulls & sockets, history, evilness, genetics and otherness. I distressed plate #3 a little bit. I varnished it shortly after making this copy and it cleaned up quite a bit - I was a little disappointed about that but I still like the image. I look so different in each image, it trips me out a wee bit.

It took four plates to get two that I really like.

"Self Portrait #3 - Jewish DNA" - 8"x10" Alumitype - Viernheim, Germany 2009 
Self Portrait #1 With Y-DNA Sequence Backwards (written by hand)