I've been slowly falling in love with the idea of shooting wet plate photography but this really scared the shit out of me to be totally honest. Even with ventilation it seems the risk of cancer is still there even if it's low.
It’s all about protection and the collodion formula you are using. There are mixtures without cadmium as well. I work many years with it and never had an issue. Always best to learn it from somebody who knows the process and the possible dangers very well.
A big warning about ether and similar solvents: they can easily form very explosive compounds just by exposure to air and light, or contamination. While usually sold with inhibitors to try to prevent this, these can run out with time. Research the proper handling and storage procedures, and never use any used old stuff lying in the lab cabinet for years.
Additionally- Keep in mind that ether can permeate through nitrile with ease. Still use gloves when pouring plates, but make sure not to get collodion on them. If you do get some collodion on the glove, take it off and wash in water, then get a new glove. Otherwise, it can get stuck in the glove and irritate your skin!
Good point, thank you! Didn't think about to talk about that, that I change the gloves after every plate. Sometimes I even change them because of that during shooting one plate. I think I should start to write down everything you guys write here and make maybe a second video. I think this is so important to know - I just saw a video yesterday on RUclips, where a photographer mixed the cadmium without a mask and gloves....
Any chemicals can be dangerous! I have to be careful when I develop black and white film so that I don't stain my kitchen table or confuse the developer as a drink! Keep up the good work!
I have read comments about people doing the wet collodion process in the kitchen and getting scared because the silver nitrate stains are not coming of the kitchen table. When I read that, my first thought was that this was heir smallest problem. They should have learned that in the workshop they visited. I hope people like this watch my video before they bring themselves in danger. Many people who give workshops forget the responsibility they have when teaching this wonderful process. But luckily there are also lots of good teachers out there.
Sorry for my late reply, just saw your question now. Ether is igniting easily. After it gets delivered, I stabilize it immediately with alcohol and store it in laboratory bottles in my chemical cabinet. During transportation I store it in air tight rugged cases like the one I mentioned in the video. I strongly recommend to attend a workshop to get detailed information about all chemicals used in the process. This video is only a brief overview.
Im french and really interested in daguerréotype photography, after digital i want to do daguerréotype im too a lover of history, "old and vintage" and photography to not do Spend all this night learning about it But my question is how can I make it safer ? Done chemistry for years in school but ... Is there like alternatives about ,theses "DEADLY" products are something to build to make them safer idk?
As mentioned in my previous answer, it is important to attend a proper workshop where all safety measures are explained in detail. The Daguerreotype process include the need of mercury fumes, that’s why it’s nothing you can learn in a day. I can offer wet plate workshops. If you want something „vintage“ that is easier to handle, you can have a look ad dry plates (google zebra dry plates). Or have a look at my last short about the Lomo Graflok: ruclips.net/user/shortsLIIcT7Dah54 they also offer a nice black and white film.
Depending what you use. You have to adjust your developer and collodion for higher temperatures. Also humidity will be an issue. Collodion and ether is always sensitive during transport. Are you driving?
@@baudworxitsolution9677 what I do during traveling in summer is to put a cooling accumulator into my explorer case (just one, because the explorer case is pretty light right) During the camera obscura festival, I had to move into the tent for pouring the plate, because the sun would immediately dry the collodion…
Like I explain in the video, it’s all about the safety measures I mentioned. I never had an issue since many years practicing this beautiful process. I also strongly recommend to book a workshop where all safety measures are properly explained. I explained some of the main parts of protection in this video, but there is more.
Thank you, depending what chemicals you use, you need a mask with an organic vapor filter for ether (I asked directly 3m) If you use other chemicals you may need a filter for inorganic vapors. There are different types of the 6000 filter series, get the right one for your needs. For my workshop during COVID I needed to buy nonreusable masks, because people are not allowed to exchange them. I got 4255+ mask for that.
@@mhaustria okay! Und wenn man es im Sommer draussen hat? Kann die Hitze der Sonne gefährlich werden ? Vielen Dank für die super Videos und die schnellen Antworten! Ich versuche mir gerade einfach ein Bild über kolldium zu verschaffen um damit hoffentlich irgendwann anzufangen, Dankeschön. Oh und könnte ich noch fragen, wo bekommt man solche Koffer? vielen Dank
@@poetharpist bei längeren Transport gebe ich einen Kühlakku in den Koffer. Die Nassplattenfotografie benötigt je nach Temperatur angepasste Chemikalien. Für Details am besten einen Workshop besuchen (meinen zum Beispiel ;) In meiner Liste gibt es links zu solchen Koffer list.mhaustria.com (nach case suchen)
@@mhaustria Dankeschön! Ich habe auch schon überlegt in meinem Fall das poe boy collodion ohne ether und Cadmium zu verwenden, ihre Workshops werde ich mor ganz sicher auch ansehen, Dankeschön für die Antworten ! Mfg
When I get new ether, I use all for creating a new batch of iodizer. That's when I mix it with alcohol. Then I can mix the iodizer with the collodion one day before I shoot, to have fresh one. I use Quin's recipe for the Iodizer
Thanks for the great video! Important information. One question, so, chemicals shouldn't go down the sink. But what about the wash water (after development for instance) or after fixing. Is it safe to put this in the sink or should you also dispose it differently? Thanks for the information!
Very welcome and thanks for the great question! If you watch my videos, you see the sprayer I use to stop the development. I use it, because I save water and that saves also the amount of waste that I have to bring to the disposal. So yes, I dispose also the water from stopping the developer. For fixing, I just recently started to spray off the fixer (that contains silver) the same way as I do the developer, in the same tray. Afterwards I wash it normally with not disposing the water (I wash for 30-40minutes).And I think the only thing that comes out is the salt from my fixer. But I think it is important to know, that my fixer is made of sodium thiosolfate.
The only thing I could add is to wear a lab coat so your arms are properly protected. Water soluble heavy metal salts are poisonous by absorption through the skin.
Thanks for your comment! Absolutely right! I added that also to the ether and alcohol. Just a mask is not enough when you are in a tiny room. I think it is so important to let people know. I was surprised how many people just don’t care…
The sum up is to be careful. It’s the same with jerrycan full of gasoline for your lawnmower. Everybody knows that inhaling is bad and it can be dangerous near a flame. Just common sense. But you are still using it for your lawnmower, because you are careful. Everybody has so many household chemicals at home that are dangerous and people with common sense know how to deal with them. You get also cadmium into your body from a cigarette, but people still smoke. My video should be a reminder to be careful and with that in mind enjoy this beautiful process.
I've been slowly falling in love with the idea of shooting wet plate photography but this really scared the shit out of me to be totally honest. Even with ventilation it seems the risk of cancer is still there even if it's low.
It’s all about protection and the collodion formula you are using. There are mixtures without cadmium as well. I work many years with it and never had an issue. Always best to learn it from somebody who knows the process and the possible dangers very well.
What I wanna say is, that there is no reason to be scared if you know what you are doing
A big warning about ether and similar solvents: they can easily form very explosive compounds just by exposure to air and light, or contamination. While usually sold with inhibitors to try to prevent this, these can run out with time. Research the proper handling and storage procedures, and never use any used old stuff lying in the lab cabinet for years.
agree 100% - there is much more to the whole process. That's what are workshops for
Additionally- Keep in mind that ether can permeate through nitrile with ease. Still use gloves when pouring plates, but make sure not to get collodion on them. If you do get some collodion on the glove, take it off and wash in water, then get a new glove. Otherwise, it can get stuck in the glove and irritate your skin!
Good point, thank you! Didn't think about to talk about that, that I change the gloves after every plate. Sometimes I even change them because of that during shooting one plate. I think I should start to write down everything you guys write here and make maybe a second video. I think this is so important to know - I just saw a video yesterday on RUclips, where a photographer mixed the cadmium without a mask and gloves....
Thanks for the info, Will take it into account :-)
I had a lot of irritation on My fingers after making wet plates, now I know why :-)
@@wouterelsen7773 like fern the silver nitrate?
Any chemicals can be dangerous!
I have to be careful when I develop black and white film so that I don't stain my kitchen table or confuse the developer as a drink!
Keep up the good work!
I have read comments about people doing the wet collodion process in the kitchen and getting scared because the silver nitrate stains are not coming of the kitchen table. When I read that, my first thought was that this was heir smallest problem. They should have learned that in the workshop they visited. I hope people like this watch my video before they bring themselves in danger. Many people who give workshops forget the responsibility they have when teaching this wonderful process. But luckily there are also lots of good teachers out there.
hi markus which chemicals are explosives and how do i store to avoid that kind of accident?
Sorry for my late reply, just saw your question now. Ether is igniting easily. After it gets delivered, I stabilize it immediately with alcohol and store it in laboratory bottles in my chemical cabinet. During transportation I store it in air tight rugged cases like the one I mentioned in the video. I strongly recommend to attend a workshop to get detailed information about all chemicals used in the process. This video is only a brief overview.
Im french and really interested in daguerréotype photography, after digital i want to do daguerréotype im too a lover of history, "old and vintage" and photography to not do
Spend all this night learning about it
But my question is how can I make it safer ?
Done chemistry for years in school but ...
Is there like alternatives about ,theses "DEADLY" products are something to build to make them safer idk?
As mentioned in my previous answer, it is important to attend a proper workshop where all safety measures are explained in detail. The Daguerreotype process include the need of mercury fumes, that’s why it’s nothing you can learn in a day. I can offer wet plate workshops. If you want something „vintage“ that is easier to handle, you can have a look ad dry plates (google zebra dry plates). Or have a look at my last short about the Lomo Graflok: ruclips.net/user/shortsLIIcT7Dah54 they also offer a nice black and white film.
hi markus are those chemicals sensitive to temperature im leaving on a tropical climate do i need to maintain temperature on the storage cabinet?
Depending what you use. You have to adjust your developer and collodion for higher temperatures. Also humidity will be an issue. Collodion and ether is always sensitive during transport. Are you driving?
@@mhaustria most of my photoshoot i drove around 2-5 hours
@@baudworxitsolution9677 what I do during traveling in summer is to put a cooling accumulator into my explorer case (just one, because the explorer case is pretty light right)
During the camera obscura festival, I had to move into the tent for pouring the plate, because the sun would immediately dry the collodion…
Well the question for me is more : Can you make wet plate photography safer or safe ? I heared there are like boxes to work in or something
Like I explain in the video, it’s all about the safety measures I mentioned. I never had an issue since many years practicing this beautiful process. I also strongly recommend to book a workshop where all safety measures are properly explained. I explained some of the main parts of protection in this video, but there is more.
@@mhaustria i was good in chemistry labo at school for 5 years that will help me more than if i was starting from zero
Excellent video! Is a 3M 6000 Half Respirator Mask enough to work with collodion and developer & fixer vapours? Thanks!
Thank you, depending what chemicals you use, you need a mask with an organic vapor filter for ether (I asked directly 3m)
If you use other chemicals you may need a filter for inorganic vapors. There are different types of the 6000 filter series, get the right one for your needs.
For my workshop during COVID I needed to buy nonreusable masks, because people are not allowed to exchange them. I got 4255+ mask for that.
Thanks for that video and that nice germanic like accent
Hallo, ist es möglich die gemischten Chemikalien mobil im auto und zu Fuss mitzunehmen in einer ganz normalen Tasche?
Kollodium, Alkohol und Äther (gemischt) würde ich nur in luftdichten ausgepolsterten, schlagfesten Koffern transportieren.
@@mhaustria okay! Und wenn man es im Sommer draussen hat? Kann die Hitze der Sonne gefährlich werden ?
Vielen Dank für die super Videos und die schnellen Antworten! Ich versuche mir gerade einfach ein Bild über kolldium zu verschaffen um damit hoffentlich irgendwann anzufangen, Dankeschön.
Oh und könnte ich noch fragen, wo bekommt man solche Koffer? vielen Dank
@@poetharpist bei längeren Transport gebe ich einen Kühlakku in den Koffer.
Die Nassplattenfotografie benötigt je nach Temperatur angepasste Chemikalien. Für Details am besten einen Workshop besuchen (meinen zum Beispiel ;)
In meiner Liste gibt es links zu solchen Koffer list.mhaustria.com (nach case suchen)
@@mhaustria Dankeschön! Ich habe auch schon überlegt in meinem Fall das poe boy collodion ohne ether und Cadmium zu verwenden, ihre Workshops werde ich mor ganz sicher auch ansehen, Dankeschön für die Antworten ! Mfg
@@poetharpist sehr gerne. Alkohol ist für die Leber nicht so viel weniger schädlich. Ich habe gerade erst gestern einen Privatworkshop gehalten :)
How much alcohol do you put in the new ether?
When I get new ether, I use all for creating a new batch of iodizer. That's when I mix it with alcohol. Then I can mix the iodizer with the collodion one day before I shoot, to have fresh one.
I use Quin's recipe for the Iodizer
Thanks for the great video! Important information. One question, so, chemicals shouldn't go down the sink. But what about the wash water (after development for instance) or after fixing. Is it safe to put this in the sink or should you also dispose it differently? Thanks for the information!
Very welcome and thanks for the great question!
If you watch my videos, you see the sprayer I use to stop the development. I use it, because I save water and that saves also the amount of waste that I have to bring to the disposal. So yes, I dispose also the water from stopping the developer.
For fixing, I just recently started to spray off the fixer (that contains silver) the same way as I do the developer, in the same tray.
Afterwards I wash it normally with not disposing the water (I wash for 30-40minutes).And I think the only thing that comes out is the salt from my fixer. But I think it is important to know, that my fixer is made of sodium thiosolfate.
The only thing I could add is to wear a lab coat so your arms are properly protected. Water soluble heavy metal salts are poisonous by absorption through the skin.
Thanks for your comment! Absolutely right! I added that also to the ether and alcohol. Just a mask is not enough when you are in a tiny room. I think it is so important to let people know. I was surprised how many people just don’t care…
To sum up : don’t do wetplates
The sum up is to be careful. It’s the same with jerrycan full of gasoline for your lawnmower. Everybody knows that inhaling is bad and it can be dangerous near a flame. Just common sense. But you are still using it for your lawnmower, because you are careful. Everybody has so many household chemicals at home that are dangerous and people with common sense know how to deal with them. You get also cadmium into your body from a cigarette, but people still smoke. My video should be a reminder to be careful and with that in mind enjoy this beautiful process.