As many whom I do work for know; I have been purposely slowing down on camera orders for the last 10 months or so. I recently had another kiddo (now 7mths). Also, I have been slowly starting into period 17th & 18th century furniture. This furniture is done with mostly hand tool work such as hand cut dovetails & hand planed surfaces. And my version is always using highly figured woods. I recently spent a couple weeks in Virginia getting a few more pointers from the two guys who have been the furniture makers for the White House for the last 30 years. It was a long drive from Texas. While there, I went with them to Mt. Vernon into the "lock vault storage" area to photograph and measure some of George Washington's original furniture (circa 1730-1750).
Anyway, over the last year, hand tool work has been the focus of my camera building as well. My last few are done with hand cut dovetails.

This 8x10 camera will be my last for a while. I had some great figured curly cherry on hand. The camera is done mostly with hand cut joinery, hand planed surface prep. It is heading to RI is a few days.

I just thought I would show off this camera and touch base on what I'm up to.






www.guillorycameras.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/28/2011 01:33AM by Ty G.

I would like to add that getting into wet plate photography has completely changed my life. I was not a serious woodworker; I just wanted to make images and could not afford a camera or lens. So, I made my first camera for myself and made my own lens using a surplus acromat shoved into some PVC fitting that I painted black. I made a few more cameras for myself just because I wanted to improve on my camera. Eventually I started to sell some after I felt good enough in my wood craft. With every camera, I tried to get better and better. I would have never imaged doing stuff like Queen Anne Highboys and Secretaries would ever be within my capabilities. And it all started because I wanted to make a tintype.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/28/2011 01:34AM by Ty G.

Ty, Good luck to you in your new passion. Handcrafted furniture is a true artisans pursuit. Few can really "do it' as well as the past masters...but I have a feeling you will be able to do it.

There was a mastery of wood, and an understanding of it, together with excellent quality old growth wood available to our forefathers...which we have largely forgotten. Indeed, all hand work involving tools and wood....pretty much forgotten as an functional art form. Like you, I enjoy crafting wood cameras. They are both art, and function.

Your "swan song" camera (and hopefully you WILL build more)...is a work of art. Someone will be very luck owning this gem, and hopefully they will keep it clean (use blue painters tape on the surfaces of any wooden camera you handle to keep it clean during your photo sessions). The Dovetails...damn....I cant do that to save my soul. Dad didnt teach me that...because HE didnt know how to do it flawlessly.

You are a credit to the wet plate world and your contributions will be long remembered. Your cameras, they will outlive you, us, all of us....and like all quality items will be treasured forever.

Good Luck on the furniture pursuit. Remember, learn your wood and keep your tools sharp!!

PS>>>>> I have a few pounds of my Grandfathers hide glue crystals. This is the Bees Knees for putting together wood. Ive never used it...but if you want it, its yours, just ask.


Ray



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 10/28/2011 07:58AM by Ray Morgenweck.

Ray, Thanks a bunch for the kind words.

Beautiful camera Ty!

Good luck to you in your furniture making adventure!

If you get back to VA sometime let me know. I have a friend in Fredericksburg who makes reproduction colonial furniture and has made furniture for Colonial Williamsburg.