Archive for the 'alumitype' Category
Wednesday, November 11th, 2020
Connected – a 5 minute wet plate exposure with 7000 km distance between us
click or scroll down for the English version
English version
Connected – a wet plate art project about the bonds of friendship
with Shane Balkowitsch
This is not about a technical perfect wet plate. This is about building connections from thousand miles away. Overcoming obstacles and being there for each other.
This 5-minute exposure captured more than just an image, it’s a short movie where the plate captured our thoughts and movements. Thanks to Shane Balkowitsch to be a part of it.
We couldn’t do a lot of things because of the pandemic, but I won’t let this get me down.
I also didn’t want to wait for some things I wanted to do. That’s when I came up with the idea to do things differently. With that I finally could meet Shane in a more direct way and we also were able to shoot a wet plate together. For me it was important to show, that there are always ways to do something. The only limits we have are in our head. At this point I want to say thanks to Pro-Digital in Vienna who lent me this wonderful Dedolight light head with the projection kit. This is an amazing tool! Without that it would have been much tougher to make this happen.
Darken my studio
First I had to darken my studio, because the tiniest lightleak would be visible in a 5 minute exposure.
I have blinds, but they were not enough. With a 5 minute exposure a tiny light leak could make problems, thats why I covered my windows behind the blinds with cardboard.
Background
I wanted to have Shane’s background in my studio. That’s wehre things got a tricky.
As you saw, I used the projector on a gray wall to not overexpose the background and Shane.
During the test shots I thought for a moment I could use the projector light on me too, because on a digital image I looked as bright as shane. But the wet plate process fairy was against me – The uv light just sees it differently.
So I knew I needed an additional light source to get the exposure right.
I have a Hensel spot adapter for a strobe and tried this one first. But with the modeling light the light was to uneven (it’s a 20 years old strobe), it just works with the strobe.
Then I tried it with the light blaster. This is a projector for speedlites where you can mount lenses on it to project images on as a background. But here I had the same problem, as soon as I used a flashlight, the light was to uneven.
Then I remembered a workshop where the guy there used a dedolight and that’s when I called Pro Digital and asked them if I can have one. Some days later I went to their shop and Andreas explained all the possibilities I have with the light and showed my also the projection kit. From there I knew this is the right tool. Good to have local shops like that!
As soon as I got home, I made myself a gobo that looks like me. A gobo is a Graphical Optical Blackout.
I printed it and then I used a cutter to cut it out.
And with that I could make a projection on myself that does not brighten up the Shane and his background.
Exposure
5 Minutes is very long for a portrait. And yet it was as short as I could get it.
I used my Century 8×10 camera with my Dallmeyer 2b Petzval lens – it’s a F3 lens by the way.
I could only shoot 13x18cm plates, because the camera would have been in the way of the projector for 8×10 plates (I had to go closer).
Using a longer lens would also have been an Issue, because then I would have an aperture of F4.5 or even F6. With that the exposure times would have been twice or four times as long.
Aa you could see in the videos, I set the timer on my watch and released the lens cap with a string that I squeezed between the lens cap and the camera. An then it was only us two and 5 minutes in front of the camera.
Manny of you have seen the apron I am using but only a view know that this apron is from my grandfather who used to have a shoemaker shop in this house. Thats the reason I like to wear it, because it is part of our family.
It was such a great experience and so much fun. I will for sure do it sometimes again. Maybe some people even want to do a portrait like that. It’s a great way to get memories during that time where we have to be at home
For private wetplate workshops contact me here: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/kontakt/
Or book other ones here http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/workshops/
Fine Art Shop http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/front_store/
become a Patreon and support me: https://www.patreon.com/mhaustria
If you guys want to experience yourself how a tintype is made and own a one of a kind wet plate, please contact me via my website http://wetplate.art
Don’t forget to subscribe to my Newsletter: http://blog.markus-hofstaetter.at/Newsletter/
Wednesday, October 28th, 2020
Shooting Wet Plates with Autofocus (FAIL)
click or scroll down for the English version
Ich hatte ja schon mal Freihand mit einer Nassplattenkamera Fotografiert. Diesmal war der Plan mit Autofocus auf Kollodium-Nassplatte zu fotografieren. Dazu habe ich das Mamiya 645 AF AFD Polaroid Film Back HP402 an meiner 645 AFD II verwendet. Leider wurde meinem Vorhaben ein Strich durch die Rechnung gemacht. Warum genau zeige ich euch im Video. Vielen Dank an Jasmin fürs Modeln: https://www.instagram.com/real_better_me/
Zum Lichttest habe ich ein iPhone Foto erstellt – das einzig Scharfe in der Serie 🙂 Manche Platten schauen ok aus, aber im Scan sieht man wie unscharf sie sind.
Nächste Nassplattenworkshops: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/workshops/
Fine Art Shop: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/front_store/
become a Patreon and support me: https://www.patreon.com/mhaustria
Wollt ihr immer auf Letztstand sein, benutzt einfach meinen Newsletter ein Newsletter: http://blog.markus-hofstaetter.at/Newsletter/
English version
I shot already wet palates handheld, but this time I wanted to shoot them with an autofocus camera. For that I mounted the Mamiya 645 AF AFD Polaroid Film Back HP402 onto my Mamiya 645 AFDII. Sadly it didn’t work out like I imagined. In this video I show you why. Thanks a lot Jamsin to for modelling: https://www.instagram.com/real_better_me/
For testing I shot one iPhone photo – the only sharp one 🙂
Some of the plates look ok for, but in my scans you can see they are way off.
For private wetplate workshops contact me here: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/kontakt/
Or book other ones here http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/workshops/
Fine Art Shop http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/front_store/
become a Patreon and support me: https://www.patreon.com/mhaustria
If you guys want to experience yourself how a tintype is made and own a one of a kind wet plate, please contact me via my website http://wetplate.art
Don’t forget to subscribe to my Newsletter: http://blog.markus-hofstaetter.at/Newsletter/
Tuesday, October 13th, 2020
Family and Architecture Wet Plates on location
click or scroll down for the English version
Diesmal wurde ich beauftragt Architekturaufnahmen auf Nassplatte von einem historischen Haus zu machen. Zusätzlich waren auch Familienaufnahmen gefragt. Mit der Hilfe von Alois Stingl gibt es dazu auch ein Making-Of video. Vielen Dank dafür! Natürlich hatten wir auch viel Spaß dabei!
Nächste Nassplattenworkshops: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/workshops/
Fine Art Shop: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/front_store/
become a Patreon and support me: https://www.patreon.com/mhaustria
Wollt ihr immer auf Letztstand sein, benutzt einfach meinen Newsletter ein Newsletter: http://blog.markus-hofstaetter.at/Newsletter/
English version
For this assignment I was creating architecture wet plates of a historic house. Additionally I did also a family portrait. With the help of Alois Stingl I can show you a Bits video – thanks a lot for that! And of course we had a lot of fun too!
For private wetplate workshops contact me here: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/kontakt/
Or book other ones here http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/workshops/
Fine Art Shop http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/front_store/
become a Patreon and support me: https://www.patreon.com/mhaustria
If you guys want to experience yourself how a tintype is made and own a one of a kind wet plate, please contact me via my website http://wetplate.art
Don’t forget to subscribe to my Newsletter: http://blog.markus-hofstaetter.at/Newsletter/
Sunday, October 11th, 2020
Wet Plate Talk and Menschenbilder Exhibition in Judenburg
click or scroll down for the English version
Letzte Woche war ich bei der tollen Menschenbildereröffnung in Judenburg dabei. Außerdem hielt ich gleich zwei Vorträge über den Kollodium-Nassplattenprozess und über meine Herangehensweise beim Porträtieren mit diesem historischen Verfahren im Murtal Museum. Dabei hatte ich viel Spaß und lernte auch viele tolle Menschen kennen. Judenburg ist immer einen Besuch wert, neben den Menschenbildern und dem Museum gibt es auch noch das schöne Puchmuseum und den beeindruckenden Sternenturm zu sehen. Danke an Heinz Mitteregger, Karoline Straner und Philipp Odelga für die Fotos von mir. Zusätzlich nochmal Danke für die Einladung!
Nächste Nassplattenworkshops: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/workshops/
Fine Art Shop: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/front_store/
Unterstützt mich: https://www.patreon.com/mhaustria
Wollt ihr immer auf Letztstand sein, benutzt einfach meinen Newsletter ein Newsletter: http://blog.markus-hofstaetter.at/Newsletter/
English version
Last week I was at the amazing Human Pictures (Menschenbilder) exhibition in Judenburg . Additionally I had two talks about the collodion wet plate process and how I approach my portraits with this technique in the Murtal Museum. I had so much fun there and met so many great people. If you are in Austria, you will like you visit in Judenburg, Beside the Museum and the current exhibition, you can visit the Puchmuseum and the planetarium Sternenturm. Thanks a lot to Heinz Mitteregger, Karoline Straner and Philipp Odelga for the photographs of myself. Also thanks a lot for the invitation.
For private wetplate workshops contact me here: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/kontakt/
Or book other ones here http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/workshops/
Fine Art Shop http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/front_store/
become a Patreon and support me: https://www.patreon.com/mhaustria
If you guys want to experience yourself how a tintype is made and own a one of a kind wet plate, please contact me via my website http://wetplate.art
Don’t forget to subscribe to my Newsletter: http://blog.markus-hofstaetter.at/Newsletter/
Sunday, October 4th, 2020
My wet plate in Neunkirchen
click or scroll down for the English version
Meine Kollodium Nassplatte von Paul ist mit den Menschenbildern nach Neunkirchen gewandert. Hinfahren und ansehen, es gibt dort viele tolle Bilder zu sehen. An dieser Stelle möchte ich mich sehr herzlich bei der Innung der Niederösterreichischen Berufsfotografen für Organisation der Menschenbilder bedanken.
Termine der Menschenbilderausstellung:
17. Juli 2020 – St. Pölten
16. September 2020 – Neunkirchen
16. April 2021 – Stockerau
4. Juni 2021 – Armschlag
Nächste Nassplattenworkshops: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/workshops/
Fine Art Shop: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/front_store/
Unterstützt mich: https://www.patreon.com/mhaustria
Wollt ihr immer auf Letztstand sein, benutzt einfach meinen Newsletter ein Newsletter: http://blog.markus-hofstaetter.at/Newsletter/
English version
The humane picture exhibition including my wet plate of Paul moved to Neunkirchen here in Austria. This is only possible because of our professional photography association – Thanks a lot for organizing such great contests/exhibitions!
upcoming dates and locations for the exhibition:
17. Juli 2020 – St. Pölten
16. September 2020 – Neunkirchen
16. April 2021 – Stockerau
4. Juni 2021 – Armschlag
For private wetplate workshops contact me here: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/kontakt/
Or book other ones here http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/workshops/
Fine Art Shop http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/front_store/
become a Patreon and support me: https://www.patreon.com/mhaustria
If you guys want to experience yourself how a tintype is made and own a one of a kind wet plate, please contact me via my website http://wetplate.art
Don’t forget to subscribe to my Newsletter: http://blog.markus-hofstaetter.at/Newsletter/
Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020
Assisting Myself – a Wide Angle Self Portrait Wet Plate
click or scroll down for the English version
Für einen kommenden Auftrag habe ich mir ein Ross Xpress 5″ (127mm) F4 Weitwinkelobjektiv bei www.wetplatedreams.com gekauft. Welches ich natürlich vor dem ersten Einsatz testen mußte 🙂
Der Bildkreis des Objektivs deckt knapp 18x24cm ab und somit ergibt das bei einem Cropfaktor von ca. 0,15 19mm auf Kleinbild gerechnet. Ziemlich cool für ein Großformatobjektiv mit Blende 4.0.
Hier noch zwei Fotos vom Objektiv selbst:
und zwei Nassplatten (überbelichtetes Haus):
Nächste Nassplattenworkshops: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/workshops/
Fine Art Shop: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/front_store/
become a Patreon and support me: https://www.patreon.com/mhaustria
Wollt ihr immer auf Letztstand sein, benutzt einfach meinen Newsletter ein Newsletter: http://blog.markus-hofstaetter.at/Newsletter/
English version
I needed a wide angle large format lens for an upcoming assignment. I got myself a Ross Xpress 5″ (127mm) F4 Wide Angle lens from www.wetplatedreams.com . As you can imagine, I had to test it before using it at the assignment.
The lens was made for 13x18cm plates, but it also covers 18×24 with a slight vignette. The crop factor on 18x24cm is about 0,15 and that makes it a 19mm lens compared to full frame. Pretty cool for a F4.0 lens right?
Two more shots from the lens:
and two plates (over exposed house):
For private wetplate workshops contact me here: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/kontakt/
Or book other ones here http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/workshops/
Fine Art Shop http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/front_store/
become a Patreon and support me: https://www.patreon.com/mhaustria
If you guys want to experience yourself how a tintype is made and own a one of a kind wet plate, please contact me via my website http://wetplate.art
Don’t forget to subscribe to my Newsletter: http://blog.markus-hofstaetter.at/Newsletter/
Tuesday, August 25th, 2020
Behind the United Art Gallery – Gabriel Baharlia – a portrait artist who worked with Helmut Newton
Stunning portraits, working with Helmut Newton and overcoming challenging portrait sessions are the topics of the current “Behind The United Art Gallery interview with the well known photographer from Israel – Gabriel Baharlia.
Visit our Gallery here: https://unitedart.gallery/ Are you working yourself on an art project (photo or painting) with a distinct connection to the equal rights or the coronavirus topic? Then you can submit your image here:https://unitedart.gallery/pages/be-a-part-of-it/
Gabriel Baharlia
Website: http://www.bgabriel.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baharlia/
become a Patron and support me: https://www.patreon.com/mhaustria
Upcoming wet plate workshops: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/workshops/
privat workshops in English contact me here: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/kontakt/
Fine Art Shop http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/front_store/
If you guys want to experience yourself how a tintype is made and own a one of a kind wet plate, please contact me via my website http://wetplate.art
Don’t forget to subscribe to my Newsletter: http://blog.markus-hofstaetter.at/Newsletter/
Tuesday, July 21st, 2020
My Wet Plate Portrait of Paul at the Menschenbilder 2020 exhibition
click or scroll down for the English version
Ich bin wieder sehr stolz, dass ich es auch dieses Jahr mit einem Porträt auf Kollodium-Nassplatte zu den Menschenbildern geschafft habe. Ein so ehrlich lachendes Porträt auf Kollodium-Nassplatte zu erstellen ist eine Herausforderung, dennoch ist es mir gelungen. Deshalb ist die Freude um so größer, dass es das Porträt von Paul zu den Menschenbildern geschafft hat. An dieser Stelle möchte ich mich sehr herzlich bei der Innung der Niederösterreichischen Berufsfotografen für Organisation der Menschenbilder bedanken.
Termine der Menschenbilderausstellung:
17. Juli 2020 – St. Pölten
16. September 2020 – Neunkirchen
16. April 2021 – Stockerau
4. Juni 2021 – Armschlag
In der Gallery findet ihr mehr Bilder von der tollen Ausstellung
Nächste Nassplattenworkshops: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/workshops/
Fine Art Shop: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/front_store/
Unterstützt mich: https://www.patreon.com/mhaustria
Wollt ihr immer auf Letztstand sein, benutzt einfach meinen Newsletter ein Newsletter: http://blog.markus-hofstaetter.at/Newsletter/
English version
I am very proud that my collodion wet plate portrait of Paul made it again to the Menschenbilder exhibition (pictures of humans exhibition)
As many of you may know, it is very tough to do a collodion wet plate with this hones happy expression. This makes it double sweet to see it in that large size. This is only possible because of our professional photography association – Thanks a lot for organizing such great contests/exhibitions!
upcoming dates and locations for the exhibition:
17. Juli 2020 – St. Pölten
16. September 2020 – Neunkirchen
16. April 2021 – Stockerau
4. Juni 2021 – Armschlag
In der Gallery findet ihr mehr Bilder von der tollen Ausstellung
For private wetplate workshops contact me here: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/kontakt/
Or book other ones here http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/workshops/
Fine Art Shop http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/front_store/
become a Patreon and support me: https://www.patreon.com/mhaustria
If you guys want to experience yourself how a tintype is made and own a one of a kind wet plate, please contact me via my website http://wetplate.art
Don’t forget to subscribe to my Newsletter: http://blog.markus-hofstaetter.at/Newsletter/
Thursday, July 9th, 2020
Shooting A Wetplate Portrait of a Medieval Knight Sword Fighter
click or scroll down for the English version
Unterhalb des Videos findet ihr Erklärungen zum Shooting
Ein originelles Porträt von einem mittelalterlichen Schwertkämpfer (Staatsmeister) war gefragt. Ein Ritter in Rüstung samt seiner Hieb- und Stichwaffe auf Kollodium-Nassplatte ablichten ist der Plan. Da eine Rüstung “farblos” ist – also nur die Farben wiedergibt die diese reflektiert, war das erste Porträt draussen geplant. In meinen Garten gibt es genug Reflektionen. Leider hat uns das Wetter kurzfristig einen Strich durch die Rechnung gemacht, da auf einmal ein Unwetter aufzog.
Somit habe ich einen Hensel Integra 1000W Kompaktblitz als Aufheller aufgestellt. Außerdem sorgte der Blitz auch für ein schönes Catchlight.
Diese klassische Pose gefiel mir sehr gut, da ich so den spannenden Helm und das Schwert mit ins Porträt bekommen habe, ohne das Gesicht zu verdecken. Einen etwas helleren Hintergrund hätte ich noch gerne gehabt, aber da spielte das Wetter nicht mehr mit – Kaum waren wir fertig, fing es schon an zu regnen. Bei diesen Bild könnt ihr gut erkennen, wie die Linien direkt auf den Ritter hinzeigen. Ich versuche sehr oft solche Elemente in meine Bildkomposition einzubauen:
Im Studio lichteten wir ein zweites Porträt mit aufgesetzten Helm ab.
Hierbei verwendete ich ein klassisches Clamshell Licht mit einer sehr nahen Softbox (Hensel Grand Mini 85) samt Reflektor um genug reflektieren in der Rüstung zu schaffen. Außerdem bekam ich mit diesem Setup genug Licht unter dem Helm um die Augen auszuleuchten.
Bei solchen nahen Porträts ist die Schärfentiefe sehr gering, da das Dallmeyer 2b Petzval Objektiv sehr lichtstark ist (220mm F3)
Mit dem Ergebnis war ich sehr zufrieden. Ich habe die Platte wieder ein kleinwenig unterbelichtet um etwas härtere Kontraste zu erzeugen. Somit entstand ein sehr ausdrucksstarkes Porträt.
Ich habe schon viele Portraits von Soldaten gesehen, die erschöpft von einer Schlacht kommen. Ein Porträt in dieser Art sollte es werden. Ein Ritter der von einer Schlacht kommt. Die Erschöpfung mußte Klaus garnicht spielen, da die Rüstung samt Helm extrem viel Gewicht hat und einiges an Energie von ihm forderte. Hier noch ein Selfie zum Abschluss, damit ihr versteht was ich meine 🙂
In der Gallery sind nochmal mehr Bilder zu sehen:
Nächste Nassplattenworkshops: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/workshops/
Fine Art Shop: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/front_store/
become a Patreon and support me: https://www.patreon.com/mhaustria
Wollt ihr immer auf Letztstand sein, benutzt einfach meinen Newsletter ein Newsletter: http://blog.markus-hofstaetter.at/Newsletter/
English version
You can find more information about the shooting underneath the video.
The task was clear – an original portrait of a Medieval Knight Sword Fighter (national champion)
So I planed to do a collodion wetplate of a knight with his armour and sword. My first thought was, that an original armor has no “color” so to say. You just see the reflections of the environment. That was the reason I wanted to shoot the first portrait in my garden. Unfortunately the weather gods were against us and just after when we started a thunderstorm was on its way.
To fight agains the “low light” situation, I used a Hensel Integra 1000W compact flash as fill and also to create some nice catchlights.
I decided to go for this classical pose to show this aggressive looking helmet and the sword without covering the face. I would have liked to have a tiny bit brighter background, but the weather played here against us. As soon as we finished, it started to rain.
You can see the lines from the sky pointing directly to the knight. This is something I always try to integrate into my portraits
We did the second portrait in my studio. This time he was wearing one of his helmets. I used a classical clamshell light with a pretty close soft box (Hensel Grand Mini 85) in combination with a reflector. With this setup I got enough reflections on the armor and could also bring light under the helmet to illuminate his eyes
When shooting portraits that close with my Dallmeyer 2b lens (220mm F3) you have to deal with a very small depth of field
I was very pleased with the result of this portrait shooting. I underexposed the plate a tiny little bit to ged stronger contrasts. With that I could produce a very strong portrait.
I know these portraits from soldiers that came exhausted and empty from a war zone. Thats how I imagined to do this portrait. Because of the heavy duty armour and helmet, Klaus did not have to act to be exhausted. So you know what I am talking about, I add a selfie from after the shooting at the end of the post 🙂
In this gallery you find some more images:
For private wetplate workshops contact me here: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/kontakt/
Or book other ones here http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/workshops/
Fine Art Shop http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/front_store/
become a Patreon and support me: https://www.patreon.com/mhaustria
If you guys want to experience yourself how a tintype is made and own a one of a kind wet plate, please contact me via my website http://wetplate.art
Don’t forget to subscribe to my Newsletter: http://blog.markus-hofstaetter.at/Newsletter/
Tuesday, June 9th, 2020
division – a portrait made with non – visible light
I have the feeling people are more and more divided these days, thats the reason I created these portraits.
With these portraits I show the division in visual form. On the left side the blindfold is blocking the sight – people can not see clearly, the faded tattoos are standing for a faded reality and the fist shows anger and caginess.
Where on the right side you see eyes that see through the blindfold, high contrast tattoos and an open hand that is ready to help and hug.
This images is also part of our new Album in the United Art Gallery:
https://unitedart.gallery/albums/justice-for-all-inspired-by-black-lives-matter/ You can join us with your own art about this topic. Just click the “be a part of it” and choose the topic you want to submit to.
I shot the first portrait with the wet collodion process (Sensible to UV light only) and with a digital infrared camera. The second portrait was shot with a Rollei Ortho 25 Film (Sensible to UV light only) and a Rollei Infrared 400 film. In UV light everything that is blue will get bright and red dark. Because tattoos often contain blue color they get brighter and the red blindfold gets black. In IR light it is the opposite, thats why you can see through the blindfold and get contrasty tattoos.
Thanks again to Alex and Bernhard for helping me, as you can see in the video, there were a lot of tasks to do in a short amount of time to bring this portrait to live
compare the images by yourself
Join one of my wet plate (nassplatten) workshops: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/kollodium-nassplatten-workshops/ or contact me for a private one here: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/kontakt/
Fine Art Shop http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/front_store/
become a Patreon and support me: https://www.patreon.com/mhaustria
If you guys want to experience yourself how a tintype is made and own a one of a kind wet plate, please contact me via my website http://wetplate.art
Don’t forget to subscribe to my Newsletter: http://blog.markus-hofstaetter.at/Newsletter/