Markus Hofstaetter's blog

Archive for the 'analog' Category

Thursday, July 15th, 2021

The First Analog Photography Festival After The Pandemic

This was such a great experience! It was not only great to meet people again at the Camera Obscura Festival, but it was also awesome to meet artists that are interested in an analog workflow. Another great thing is, that this festival is not an exclusive “wet plate event” it is also for people who work with the analog medium in any way. That was so cool, with this option you will experience things you may not have seen before. Like Large Format Cameras build from Legos. It was so nice to meet all of you guys finally in person another big thanks to Stefan, Christian and Denis for organising this great event! If you want to be notified for the next Camera Obscura Festival, register here: http://cof.mhaustria.com

[Show as slideshow]

Get yourself a beautiful print here: http://prints.mhaustria.com

Get cool analog shirts here shirts.mhaustria.com

For online wet plate workshops, visit this http://online.mhaustria.com

For private wetplate workshops contact me here: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/kontakt/

Wednesday, June 16th, 2021

I used Readyload film which expired 20 yrs ago for peaceful swan portraits

Shooting wildlife with a large format camera.

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Because I know this swan family for two seasons now, I am fully accepted and can come very close to them and their nest. They even trust me so much, that they sleep in front of me. It’s such a wonderful feeling for me to spend time with these guys.That’s also the reason I wanted to shoot large format portraits of them. My first idea was to shoot a collodion wet plate, because the swan mum was most of the time in her nest breeding her eggs. But because of the lockdown back then, I wasn’t allowed to stay outside that long. So I decided to shoot large format film with my Linhof Technika camera and a borrowed 400mm Tele Xenar lens on 4×5 Kodak Readyload film. I have my own fridge for them, because most of them are about 20 years expired and some of them are very unique for me, like the Kodak Ektachrome E100S or the Portrait 160VC. Because I like one of a kind photographs, I shot also Fujifilm FP-100C peel a part film (also expired) to get kind of a wet plate experience 🙂
I documented the whole story, inclusive a bad blooper and the outcome of the breeding in my latest YouTube documentary (I guess after 3,5 months its not just a vlog anymore). If you are interested in prints, check out http://prints.mhaustria.com – there is also one limited hand enlarged (Title “I am beautiful”) print series available.

[Show as slideshow]

all images are copyright protected

Get yourself a beautiful print here: http://prints.mhaustria.com

get cool analog shirts here shirts.mhaustria.com

for online wet plate workshops, visit this http://online.mhaustria.com

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/

Don’t forget to subscribe to my Newsletter: http://blog.markus-hofstaetter.at/Newsletter/

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2021

Newstime: There is a Wet Plate Festival in Germany, my images in a book, online workshops and more

Hope I see you guys in Germany at the Camera Obscura Festival
My Virus Wet Plates are part of the 35mmc Pandemic book
More and more people are attending my online wet plate workshops (online Nassplattenworkshop) http://online.mhaustria.com

get cool analog shirts here shirts.mhaustria.com

for online wet plate workshops, visit this http://online.mhaustria.com

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/

Don’t forget to subscribe to my Newsletter: http://blog.markus-hofstaetter.at/Newsletter/

Wednesday, April 28th, 2021

Is the wet plate collodion process dangerous?

Not a question that is easy answered, but I try to do my best in my latest video. Depending what chemicals you use, there is much more you have to take care of. I will do sometimes a second video with more info. Before you start with this process inform yourself with a good book or a workshop from a person who knows about the danger of the chemicals.

get cool analog shirts here shirts.mhaustria.com

for online wet plate workshops, visit this http://online.mhaustria.com

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/

Don’t forget to subscribe to my Newsletter: http://blog.markus-hofstaetter.at/Newsletter/

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2021

Rose – a wet plate fine art print

Fine Art Prints: http://shop.mhaustria.com
Shirts: http://shirts.mhaustria.com

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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/

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, 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/

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/
 

Sunday, October 4th, 2020

My wet plate in Neunkirchen

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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/
 

Wednesday, July 1st, 2020

Behind the United Art Gallery Borut Peterlin – Topshit Happens!

In this video-podcast I’m talking with the Borut Peterlin a wet plate artist from Solvenia about his way of dancing with crutches.

Thanks a lot for being part of this!

Borut Peterlin:
Website:
https://www.borutpeterlin.com/ http://www.topshitphotography.com/
Top Shit Blog: https://borutpeterlin.wordpress.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCjjZ-Qc43dF7xHBC92MAuA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/borutpeterlin
Podcast:
Studio Kreativkommune (German) https://studio.kreativkommune.org/podcast/
Behind the shot: https://behindtheshot.tv/
Ana Mendieta: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ana_Mendieta
Eckhart Tolle: https://eckharttolle.com/
Allan Watts: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Watts

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/

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/