Hi Joni - I haven't seen any Facebook forums (somehow I've avoided a Facebook account). I'm curious what you find to be the problem with those forums (just to compare this and the other collodion forum with the Facebook forums). Dave
Forum: General Discussion

Hi Robert - I think that sounds great. I agree with hopefully being able to transfer all the posts - there are some great posts from names like Mark Osterman and John Hurlock (just to name a few). I also think making it easier to post images would be nice. I wish I could offer help, but I really have no computer knowledge. Hope things get easier for you too. Dave
Forum: General Discussion

Hi Garrett - I think you summed it up pretty accurately. I still have somehow evaded a Facebook account so I have no idea on that end. The Voigtlander you sold me is still working hard out here near it's homeland! It's still one of my favorite lenses. Dave
Forum: General Discussion

Hello! Hello! I still routinely check the forum! It was the only place to go when I started back in 1999. Although it doesn't have the activity of the other site, I find the answers people here give to others' questions are generally accurate. I think the big drawback on this site is not being able to easily post images. Nevertheless, I like "hearing" (often as a voyeur) from some of the "o
Forum: General Discussion

To avoid leaving cotton fibers on the paper (when using the cotton pad applicator) the pad must not be too wet, nor too dry. Too dry and the pad drags on the paper (leaving fibers); too wet and puddles result. I also make 2 applications of silver. Dave
Forum: General Discussion

I use cotton pads (found at any drug store) to sensitize salt prints and dispose of them after each use (a trick I learned from Mark Osterman). No contamination. Dave
Forum: General Discussion

Hello everyone - some of the ambrotypes from the Fryeburg Fair (Fryeburg, Maine) are up on my website (www.centralvalleyproject.com). Sorry I don't have any posted here - I can never figure out how to do it. Dave
Forum: General Discussion

Hi Ty - I wanted to post this post first (just informing anyone in the New England area that I'd be up there) - the first post (regarding excess chemistry), which actually should have been the second, (is this getting confusing) or incorporated into this one, was to see if anyone could use the chemistry I would have left, and that I can't bring home with me. It'd be a waste to just dispose of it
Forum: General Discussion

"In an homage to portraiture from the 19th Century, David Puntel, of the Central Valley Project, will be making historic wet-plate collodion photographs at this year's Fryeburg Fair (Fryeburg, Maine, September 30 - October 7, 2012). With the support of grants from the Fryeburg Academy and the Fryeburg Fair, he will be shooting portraits of both Fair participants and visitors." To everyone in
Forum: General Discussion

Hello everyone in New England. I'll be shooting portraits at the Fryeburg Fair (Fryeburg, Maine) the end of September/beginning of October. Since I'll be flying back to Berlin afterwards I cannot bring with me the excess silver nitrate solution, collodion, ether, developer, and fixer (both "types"). If anyone can use any of these solutions I'd love to arrange a barter for nice ale/cider or oth
Forum: General Discussion

I agree with everyone - although I don't post often, I look through the postings almost daily. It was also the forum I depended on when I learned the process through Mark and France back in 1999. Dave
Forum: General Discussion

I wholeheartedly second that. Mark's a professional not just in collodion but in many other historic processes. Dave
Forum: General Discussion

I've used pyro in the past (I actually was just "conversing" with Mark Osterman over the internet regarding pyro) and they produce beautiful negatives. The "drawbacks" are longer exposures (as opposed to iron developed negatives) and unless the plate is subbed with albumen the collodion tends to peel easily (the pyro shrinks the collodion). Just this week I was looking at negatives I had made o
Forum: General Discussion

Hello everyone! The Central Valley Project is pleased to announce the release of the album (yes, album) "The Androgyne Show" featuring Brother John & Sister Chain and wet-plate collodion portraits by David Puntel. The perfect melding of analogue "technology." Check out the press release, "The Androgyne Show" for the photos and music!
Forum: General Discussion

Looking for that excuse to head to Europe this year? The Central Valley Project (in Berlin) presents "The 2012 Historic Photography Workshop Schedule." - Wet-Plate Collodion (in Berlin's only natural sky-light studio) (May 19th & 20th) (September 1st & 2nd) - Salted Paper Printing (June 2) (September 8) - Albumen Printing (June 3) (September 9) See www.centralvalle
Forum: Where are you this week?

Hello Christopher - I'm looking for something shorter than 12" focal length (preferably), also preferably brass, early 20th, late 19th century. If waterhouse-stop type I don't need the stops, and my lens board is about 6 inch (15 cm) square. Thanks for responding! Dave
Forum: Collodion Classifieds

Hello - thanks for your reply to this post - I have purchased a 5x7 camera, but am still looking for a nice RR lens. Nothing too large, and preferably slotted for stops and with a mounting flange. Thanks, Dave
Forum: Collodion Classifieds

Hello everyone - I'm still searching for a rapid rectilinear (or aplanat) lens. Preferably with a flange. Thanks for any "heads-ups." Dave Buck
Forum: Collodion Classifieds

Hello everyone - I'm looking to purchase a decent rapid rectilinear (preferably with a mounting flange) if anyone is looking to clean out their closets. Thanks, Dave Buck
Forum: Collodion Classifieds

Thanks for the information Ray. Winters are long and dark here in Northern Europe, so I figure I'll have some time to experiment on making bellows. Dave www.centralvalleyproject.com
Forum: General Discussion

Thanks for the links Chriso I really appreciate it. I also found Joe Smigiel's bellows-making link, but they were for square bellows (I guess I could adapt them for a tapered bellows). Dave
Forum: General Discussion

Hello everyone - I've finally secured the 5x7 camera I've been searching for (and thanks to everyone who answered my search). However, I need to construct a new bellows. I've been searching on them internets how to construct a new bellows and I've been a little overwhelmed. The bellows will be tapered (not square) to fit the camera (and somewhat long as it has an extension rail). Could anyone
Forum: General Discussion

Hello everyone - I'm in the market for a 5x7 field camera. I need something sturdy as I'm hoping to use a Petzval (about 5 inches long - not huge) and a rapid rectilinear on it. I'm willing to renovate a camera if the price is right. Thanks, Dave
Forum: Collodion Classifieds

Hi Mark - check out my post "adding images" - I had the same problem regarding inserting images, but got great responses from people. Dave
Forum: General Discussion

Thanks again Ray! This Luddite finally got it. I knew I should stick with analogue. Dave
Forum: General Discussion

Hi again Ray (or anyone else) - as the Luddite I am, I'm having still an issue with posting images. The link for a photo on the "Portraiture in Hamburg" post now appears, but how would I make the image load automatically when the post is opened? Thanks for any help. Dave
Forum: General Discussion

Thanks for the response Ray. And again, I apologize for that post since I know it's been addressed before. Dave
Forum: General Discussion

Hi everyone - I was trying to add an image to the last post, but couldn't figure out how to do it (I know it's been addressed before, but my "search" kept being canceled). Thanks for any help, Dave Central Valley Project Berlin
Forum: General Discussion

Hi Everyone - for anyone in the Hamburg (Germany) area in Oktober: The Central Valley Project is pleased to announce Company Photographers will be securing images on glass at the Freilichtmuseum Kiekeberg (just outside Hamburg), Oktober 8th and 9th, 2011. Miraculous! Fine Ambrotype Portraiture since 1999. Central Valley Project Berlin
Forum: General Discussion

Hi everyone - the June 2011 edition of the Central Valley Project Report is now available! Look under "News" at www.centralvalleyproject.com. For those who would like to receive future CVP Reports, send an email to cvpphoto@yahoo.com. Happy Himmelfahrtstag from Berlin, Dave
Forum: General Discussion