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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Looking to Assist Wet Plate Photographer
    Posted: 11 October 2006 at 11:19
Dear Everybody,

    I was told by a wet plate photographer out west, Elizabeth Merfeld, that
I should post in this forum in regards to the following. I am a recent
college graduate and now that I'm almost finally recovered from back
surgery, it's come that time for me to plot my next move. Although I've
never created or aided in the development of any wet plate collodion
work, I'm strangely attracted to such and even collect tintypes I find and
can afford. There's a depth I cannot explain and the fact that each is one
of a kind makes them almost magical. I feel drawn to this process and
have for some time.

    I was thinking that if I found a photographer who did this and had a
successful business doing so, he may have room to bring on an assistant/
apprentice. And whith more and more young people turning away from
the traditional and antiquarian processses and towards that of digital, it
must be hard to find assistants.

    And that brings me to this, are any of you wet plate photographers in
need of an assistant? I am a hardworker and always eager to learn and
expand my photography/art knowledge. I would prefer it if you lived
within the vicinity of New York City, seeing that I'm currently located in
Hoboken, NJ. Although, I haven't completely abandoned the idea of
relocating. If you are interested, my resume can be found with my
contact information at WWW.JPCORRIII.COM. Even if you are not in need
of an assistant, but you know someone who is, would you mind passing
on this information?

    Thanks so much for taking the time to read all of this. I hope all's well
with the lot of you, and am eagerly waiting your replys.

Sincerely,
     J.P. Corr III (WWW.JPCORRIII.COM)
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 October 2006 at 13:39

Welcome J.P.

I can relate to what you are saying about the attraction to this process.

I'm not sure how many photographers/artists are making a living from this, but there are several that practice it regularly and you should have no problem doing an apprenticeship or "assistenceship" (or whatever one might call it) with one of them.

Again, welcome and good luck!

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 October 2006 at 15:33
Originally posted by admin

I'm not sure how many photographers/artists are making
a living from this, but there are several that practice it regularly and you
should have no problem doing an apprenticeship or "assistenceship" (or
whatever one might call it) with one of them.]


Thank you for your support. There really is an incredible rich depth
within these finished pieces. The feelings within these images are so
prevalent. Photography has so many uses, but my favorite is portraiture,
and that accompanied with this process can keep my eyes attention for
quite some time. They're almost dreamlike, but at the same time, very
real. Ha. Yeah, I'm a sentimental nut. I do truly feel compelled to go
down this path and am having difficulty finding many people in my area
that do such work...

You brought up a good point too. I am not neccesarily looking to assist
someone who does strictly wet plate work, just someone who does do it
and can teach me. In fact, I'd love to be an assistant for a portraiturist or
a commercial photographer. I would love to learn the business side to all
of this as well, for I hope to have a business one day where I do
portraiture and incorporate the wet plate process upon request.

Thanks for bringing that up though, it's good for anyone seeking an
assistant to know.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 October 2006 at 15:43
"I started thinking about how intangible and detatched my work had
become. It felt like a mechanical process to me. I wanted to be involved
with both the people I photographed and the process I was using, to be
deliberate and spontaneous all at once. Wet-Plate Collodion is the ideal
process for me, it is a 19th century, forgotten, discarded, dangerous and
very difficult process."

Ha. Wow. Meistro Quinn Jacobson.

I am just now seeing this name. I actually had you as one of the people
to contact. I was having trouble discerning where you were located
exactly. Is it still in Salt Lake City?

I really love your wet-plate portraits. In fact, I have two places where
your work's bookmarked in my browser. One is Studio Q, and the other
being at Alternativephotography.com.

This really is very interesting. Ha. You wouldn't by any chance be
looking for an assistant would you?

Sincerely,
J.P. Corr III (www.jpcorriii.com)
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 October 2006 at 22:35

Hello J.P.,

Thank you for the kind words. I appreciate them. I would take you up on that offer, but I live in Europe now (Germany). Yes, I moved here from Salt Lake City, Utah. I had to take the opportunity to come over here and see what I could do with wet plate and I have some specific goals for it, so far, no regrets at all.

I am, however, a little nervous about the language and cultural barriers in presenting my work to galleries here. I hope to find some willing German/European friends that will help me do this. This may take some time as well. I'm in language classes twice a week and am picking it up at a decent pace... we'll see.

It's been a slow start (logistically, moving to Europe has been a huge undertaking for me) but I should be making plates by the end of October. Fortunately for me, the weather here (fall/winter) seems to be a lot more "wet plate friendly" than Utah. It's much milder. Also, I hope that the Europeans on the forum will contact me and we can get some things going. So, I am looking forward to posting some plates here and getting back into the groove.

Again, good luck, I hope you can find someone to help you. I know there are a lot of great people and artists here on this forum and they are always willing to help. Don't be afraid to ask.

Peace,
Q

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 October 2006 at 12:56
Thank you very much, Quinn.

It's disappointing to hear that you'd take me on, but now you're so far away.
Thank you for the kind wishes and I too wish you the best in your European
journies.

Peace n' carrots,
J.P.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 October 2006 at 17:50
Hey JP, I already have an assistant, but if you want to learn the process, I am more than happy to give you a quick tutorial. I am 2.5 hours north of the city, and this Sunday we are having a Suspension shoot. It's gonna be a little chilly (56), so we will have the heater going. It's a bit of crazy, what with the models and all, but you will see how it all works if you are interested, PM me and I will give you directions.
Matt
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 October 2006 at 18:26
Take advantage of the possibility of learning " one on one" , if it's so offered . Kerik ran me through the basics & continues to help. For me it's always been the best way to learn. And i look forward to passing it on when i'm able, and/or more confident.I will post images soon in hopes of more feedback.Thanks everyone for this great networking for which i am sincerely grateful.
davidjohn
platinum/palladium/collodion
www.davidjohnlotto.com
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