The Collodion Experiments have finally begun.

It's only been four or five years since I decided to chase this dream of being a wet plate collodion artist.  Without a scrap of cash to throw at this venture, I've had to study on my own, even going as far as taking four semesters of chemistry in college and ending up with an extra associates degree.  After all this time, I finally have everything to start making plates.   I'm still very limited in options as far as portability, lens capability and variety, and light sources other than the sun.  So, I'll only be able to make some incredibly long exposures under shop lights and modeling lamps (30 sec - 1 min)... what that means is only ghostly, trippy portraits or still life.  Here are all of my first plates from four separate sessions.

Onward!

The Painting with light experiment continues!

The Evolution of Light Painting

New Light Painting work....

Old stuff revitalized, Re: Erotica

My favorite photographic taboo... erotica. That thing that can never be art in the eyes of some, yet begs to be, before the eyes of some that see it. I shamelessly adore it, done well. I hope to occasionally add my contribution to the genre's dropbox.

Light painting, large format this time

First try on the 4x5 Crown Graphic... I'm fairly pleased.

More light painting

With the ultimate muse. Some new Kelley Gayle work.

Painting with Light

On film this time. More to come as I print and scan them...

New Lily

Reunited with my pretty old pal, Lily, for a long overdue 15 minutes in the studio. I'm always amazed how we can be in and out of the studio in a flash and have more good work than I have energy to finish up afterward.

Opposites...

The majority of my studio only, single light source or dramatically lit figure work has always been dark. Grey to black, dark blue, underexposed for deep shadow, etc. For some reason lately, I've been compelled to see things lighter.... with the white, textured wall in the studio and the wood flooring and raw concrete baseboards, I've felt inspired to shoot in there as is... Raw. Everything feels lighter and I've begun exposing brighter than I ever have and I'm finding a consistency of tone and brightness that suits me almost as much as the black. It's different. It's probably just a phase. I'm still happy with it.

Painting with Light

Still playing around and trying to perfect my individual method for this little-used technique. I do love the effect and soul of it.

Finally another model shoot

It feels like it's been forever again. The breaks in between personal project shoots are long, but necessary for many reasons. I guess I just get burnt out with oversaturation. Less work makes for more inspired work, when I'm concerned. At least that's what I tell myself...

Laura