Central Colorado Humanists Sunday Science for April 5 on Wet Plate Collodion Photographic Process
“The Wet Plate Collodion Process” is the title of the Central Colorado Humanists Sunday Science Program for April 5. Tim Brown will demonstrate the photographic process while describing the complex chemical actions involved
Invented in the 1850’s, the process involves creating a light sensitive emulsion on a thin plate of tin using silver and a host of other chemicals. Once exposed to light using a vintage camera and lenses, the plate is developed before it dries. The photographer has about 2 minutes to expose the light sensitive plate once it’s been created and about 2 minutes to develop it once it’s been exposed. Washing and varnishing are the final steps in creating a photo that will last for many years. Tim will demonstrate this fascinating technique and provide an explanation of the chemical processes involved using a lucky subject from the audience.
A photographer for 45 years, Tim Brown’s first real photography job was in Colorado capturing the thrills of whitewater rafting for the tourist industry. Subsequent work was photographing adventure travel for clients such as Patagonia Clothing, Outside Magazine, Sports Illustrated and National Geographic to name a few. Drawn to the outdoor mountain lifestyle he became an avid kayaker and traveled the world capturing the adventurous life and extreme whitewater kayaking on film. With the onset of digital photography in 2001 Tim focused on fine art prints and selling his travel photos through galleries and art shows. He opened his own studio in Salida in 2014 and began using the wet plate colloidal process.
Central Colorado Humanists sponsor Sunday Science on the first Sunday of each month at A Church, 419 D Street, Salida, CO. Each presentation is informative and features a science topic that is understandable by both scientists and non-scientists. The doors open at 9:30 a. m. and the talk begins promptly at 10 a. m. Admission is free, and the public is welcome.