My Deardorff V8

THE PORTRAIT PROCESS 

I always set aside two hours for a portrait session so that there is no rush.

I like to have a brief chat with you before starting, perhaps over a coffee.

If the weather is mild and dry we can use my tiny garden, otherwise it’s the studio.

You’re free to wear whatever you like and, within technical limits, adopt any pose you want. High contrast clothing comes out strongly, so works very well. Collodion doesn’t see red colours, so they appear black. Specs are OK, but not if the lenses react to light.

Once we’re in the studio I’ll ask you to take a pose of your choice.  I may make suggestions, or move camera angles and light positions.

If possible, I’ll put a head-rest in position to help you stay still for the few seconds the picture will take. If you want to stand, I may have a prop that you could lean on.

I usually fire a test shot of the flash to make you aware of what it will be like.  It is VERY bright, but VERY short.

I then focus the camera, which may be more complicated than it sounds (the Scheimpflug Principle may come into play), but should only take a few seconds. You can then relax and, if you wish, join me in the darkroom while I prepare a plate. This only takes a few minutes.

You can then return to your position, which is again helped by the head-rest or prop, and I check focus and ask you to keep still.  this is the shooting sequence:-

• The plate holder is put in the camera and the front opened.

• I give you a count down before I remove the lens cap which, like my hat, acts as a shutter.

• I remind you to keep still, fire the flash, and count down the seconds before the lens cap is put back.

• The holder is closed, the image has been made!

Then, if you wish (and I recommend you do, because it is magical), you can accompany me back into the darkroom where the plate is developed, washed and fixed. This is a remarkably quick process, faster than developing a modern Polaroid!

The plate then needs to be washed thoroughly and dried before it can be varnished.  This is essential to stop the silver tarnishing.  It should be ready for collection or delivery within about 3 days, sometimes less.

You are welcome to frame the image yourself, or buy my simple black frames with white mounts.