Archive for the 'coronavirus' Category
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: https://blog.markus-hofstaetter.at/Newsletter/
Wednesday, January 27th, 2021
From Wet Plate to 3D Print – Touchable Bokeh part II (in color)
This time I did a full explanation of my whole process from a wet plate to a finished Lithophane 3D Print. I thought great 3D prints need a different approach, therefore I went outside and looked for subjects with lots of “texture”. At the end I came up with an overgrown “Nature’s Victory” branch and the skeletons of Japanese Lanterns that are a symbol for “Death Within Life”. You can can find the 3D and finer art prints in my shop: shop.mhaustria.com – you can also support me as a patron here patreon.mhaustria.com and get more inside infos about my project and also support for your wet plate process.
For the Lithophanes I went to the http://itslitho.com website. Sliced the Sprint in Ideamaker and used a Filament from https://www.extrudr.com/. As said in the video, I am not sponsored by anyone, I just want you guys to know what worked well for me.
The main differences in the slicer settings are, that I did not use any infill and filled everything up with shells. Outer shell speed is 20 and I used a brim with 20 loop lines. If you use Ideamaker, you can download the Profile here (it is for an Artillery Sidewinder X1 in combination with the bio fusion filament from Extrudr)
I didn’t show it in the video, but I did the scanning before varnishing the plates. I thought it might confuse people, if interrupt the analog process with the scanning.
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: https://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: https://blog.markus-hofstaetter.at/Newsletter/
Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020
4th Corona Project – A Duck and Swans
A different kind of corona project where I explored a nearby forrest.
I had time to capture a duck, snails and a swan family. More in the video and the gallery.
They are getting bigger and bigger (video from yesterday):
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: https://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: https://blog.markus-hofstaetter.at/Newsletter/
Saturday, August 22nd, 2020
Martin Bailey podcast interview
I was interviewed by Martin Bailey Photography to be part of his podcast about the United Art Gallery and my work. You can find the full episode here: https://mbp.ac/715
Very honored to be on his show.

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: https://blog.markus-hofstaetter.at/Newsletter/
Tuesday, May 26th, 2020
Behind the United Art Gallery – Anton Orlov Daguerreotype Artist
Anton Orlov (http://thephotopalace.blogspot.com) ist talking in this video podcast about his Covid19 related wet plate and Daguerreotype work.
Anton also talks about his coolered Daguerreotypes and wet plates. At the very end he also explains how he did his epic Daguerreotype panorama.
A long video, where Anton goes into lots of details. Very interesting for alternative process lovers and for those who want to go there.
Thanks a lot for being part of this!
Visit our Gallery here: https://unitedart.gallery/ Are you working yourself on an art project (photo or painting) with a distinct connection to the coronavirus topic, that was made during this time? 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 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: https://blog.markus-hofstaetter.at/Newsletter/
Thursday, May 7th, 2020
Video podcast: Behind The United ART Gallery with Shane Balkowitsch Antrotypist
To understand the artists behind the United Art Gallery, I started a video podcast where they can talk about their work, their current situation and what are their motives to do coronavirus related art. The podcast series starts with Shane Balkowitsch an Abrotypist from Bismark – North Dakota.
Visit our Gallery here: https://unitedart.gallery/ Are you working yourself on an art project (photo or painting) with a distinct connection to the coronavirus topic, that was made during this time? Then you can submit your image here:https://unitedart.gallery/pages/be-a-part-of-it/
Check also out the movie about Shane Balkowitsch
Balkowitsch Film Vimeo (worldwide): https://vimeo.com/ondemand/balkowitschfilm
Balkowitsch Film Amazon Prime (USA and some countries in Europe): https://www.amazon.com/Balkowitsch-Shane/dp/B087CFNWS3?fbclid=IwAR3deFewJ-j28bWsDweJbAqGVfIdIphbPEY5iPIxlH2VnyWWjC3ogtGdwdU
become a Patron and support me: https://www.patreon.com/mhaustria
Upcoming 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: https://blog.markus-hofstaetter.at/Newsletter/
Tuesday, March 31st, 2020
the coronavirus is everywhere – wet plates with modified waterhouse stops
click or scroll down for the English version
become a Patreon and support me: https://www.patreon.com/mhaustria
Der Coronavirus ist ein fixer Bestandteil von unserem momentanen Leben.
Auch wenn für uns nicht sichtbar, sind wir von dieser Gefahr umgeben. Mit diesem Gedanken im Kopf, startete ich mein nächstes Kunstprojekt zum Thema covid19. Mit einer modifizierten Steckblende und meinem Dallmeyer 2B Petzvalobjektiv hab ich es geschafft den Virus symbolisch auf einer Nassplatte darzustellen. Wie das genau funktioniert, zeige ich euch in meinem Video:
#selfisolation – das symbolische C für den Coronavirus ist in dieser Nassplatte sehr schön in der Hintergrundunschärfe des Baumes zu sehen. Auch der zu geringe Bildkreis des Objektivs erzeugt ein liegendes C zwischen Baum und Himmel.

Das Ende der leere Straße meines Heimatortes auf dieser Nassplatte zeigt einen unscharfen Baum der aus C-Buchstaben besteht. Dieser stellt den weit entfernten Coronavirus dar, der uns nichts anhaben kann.

Doch sehen wir uns den Zaun aus der Nähe genauer an, so stellen wir fest, dass auch dieser aus vielen kleinen C-Buchstaben besteht. Dieser stellt die Gefahr des Virus dar, die wir nicht sehen, die uns aber trotzdem bedroht.


Zum Abschluss entstand noch diese Kollodium Nassplatte welche sich mit den Verharmlosungen und geschriebenen BS beschäftigt.
#stopthespread #tellthetruth #covid19


Fine Art Shop: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/front_store/
Nächste Nassplattenworkshops: http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/pages/workshops/
Wollt ihr immer auf Letztstand sein, benutzt einfach meinen Newsletter ein Newsletter: https://blog.markus-hofstaetter.at/Newsletter/
English version
become a Patreon and support me: https://www.patreon.com/mhaustria
The coronavirus is now a part of our current lifes. Even when you do not see this virus it is all around us. I started a new wetplate art project with this thought about the covid19 topic. With a modified Waterhouse stop for my Dallmeyer 2b petzval lens I was able to bring a symbolical C shaped virus into my wet plates. Watch the following video to see how I accomplished that:
#selfisolation – In this tintype you can see the symbolic C for the coronavirus in the tree and also the limited image circle creates a C between the tree and the sky.

This wetplate shows tree with a C shaped bokeh at the end of my empty street. It looks like the coronavirus is far away and cannot do any harm to us.

But as soon as we have a closer look at the fence, we see that it is made of little C letters. This shows the real truth about the virus – it is all around us.


This wetplate is about downplaying and all other BS that some people write
#stopthespread #tellthetruth #covid19


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: https://blog.markus-hofstaetter.at/Newsletter/