Hello Guys and Gals, I'm really new to this process, In fact I just shot my first plates last week and should be the last to give any comments, butttttt. I bought a 30 bulb, Red LED light strip off of E-bay that is used by the hot-rod auto guys for lighting up the bottom of their cars and motorcycles and it works great off of a radio type 9 volt battery. I ran the lights 7 hours straight to see
Forum: General Discussion

I broke down and bought the ripstop material with the light proof coating from Freestyle Photo. It is light weight and totally light tight. It was expensive, but I did not have to do two layers. So far it works really well. If you want a more 1800's look, this would not be what you want.... Good luck. RJ
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I just finished my dark box last week. I used John Coffers advice and stapled mine in starting in the center on the bottom. Pull the cloth as far forward as possible and put the first staple dead centeron the bottom. Keeping the cloth tight go to both the left and right corners and staple there. Keeping the cloth tight work your way up both sides to the top. You will find you have excess cloth at
Forum: General Discussion

Bob, I have been using this site for over a year and I'm finishing my dark box as soon as my cloth from Freestyle get to me this week. I have not shot any plates yet, but the knowledge from all that post here has made my journey worth while so far. We will be saddened if you do not continue. As mentioned above, just because we all don't post doesn't mean were not looking every day. Please keep up
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Awesome picture, she looks beautiful for sure
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Robert, Please post some pictures from the cowboy mounted shooting. I do that and I'm in the process of finishing my dark box and chemicals will follow soon after. Ray made me a great whole plate camera and he got me a Petzval lense. i can't wait to try the process out. I would love to see some picture you take of horse and shooter. Thanks and have a great shoot. The Lost Spur RJ
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Mike, I will wait to recieve one of your cases to look at, then maybe I will try to build one for giggles. I want to put a tin type photo of myself and a friend that we had made 33 years ago at the NSSA skirmish in Winchester Va.in your case that I ordered. Looking forward to getting it. Thanks Ron
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May you have good health and have a full recovery from you accident. Let 2012 be one of you best years of the 81 you have been blessed with. Happy New Year Sir. The composition of your photo is great with the foilage around you.
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I did look up Moderndayantiques and his cases look really good for the money. I have worked with leather for years making holsters, knife sheaths etc. I will have to give the cases a try for giggles. Thanks for the information.
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Ok so I'm a newbee. That case is awesome, How does one find out how you made it?? Any drawings, plans or instructions anywhere???? thanks in advance The Lost Spur.......
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Ray, congrats, the new place looks very nice and I hope the move will be as painless as possible. I moved last year to the country with a 58 by 68 foot older pole building. I have created two old looking rooms inside it out of old barn lumber and it makes a great back drop for pictures as well as storage. Have fun creating and building your dream......
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Hey Chris, Oct 15th and 16th is the Civil War muster at Dollingers farm in Channahon Illinois this year. It may be worth your drive to shoot some photos. to my knowledge there is not another shooting wet plate there... Let me know and hopefully I will see you there. I'm getting ready to order my first batch of chems. I had a house fire, lighting started it. ( not super serious, but bad enough t
Forum: General Discussion

Hey Chris, you gonna be at Dollingers farm for the civil war show this year??? RJ
Forum: General Discussion

Awesome exposure and composition, keep up the good work
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I'm new to the site and do not have any equipment yet. I live near Joliet Illinois and would like to get several wet plate style photos taken. Is there anyone out there in this area that can take some photos for me? I see you were in our area? do you live in this area? Ron
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Hello, I'm new to the phorum and was looking for a portrait lens to purchase. I'm going to have Ray from Starcamera build me a camera after I purchase a lens. Would this combo work for a wet plate 8x10 setup? Please excuse my ignorance here, but I'm learning as fast as I can read all the information on Collodion photography. I just want to make sure I get the correct lens for what I need. Thank
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