An 8x10 Plate

A very arresting beautifully executed picture. A window or very large soft box for those gloriously large, square catchlights? I'm guessing a window as the light has more direction than the average soft box :)
 
It was a rather big softbox with a 6k flash pack. With a window light the exposure would be a fair few seconds. You need so much light for this process. I normally use a big round diffused reflector but tried a big square one for this.
 
I'm a huge fan of big square diffusers of all sorts ... I have a 1.5m square acrylic diffuser that I put various light sources behind ... I have even got black gaffer tape to add the bars of the 'window frame'. I cut my teeth working in a pro studio as a teen and 'good catchlights make portraits' was hammered into me :)
I'm currently building a 10x8 camera with more than half an eye to alternative processes.
 
I’ve always been interested in trying glass plate photography. It has such a unique look.

Your model seemed very relaxed which compliments your direction as well and the light you used. I love the light of a massive octa modifier slightly feathered. I’ve a a pair and of 400w elinchrom lights but I need to find something with more power but not at the price of my liver and kidney lol.

Can I ask what 6k flash pack you use?
 
I use a big old Bowens quadmatic. Such a heavy pack it is. It is always amazing how much light is needed. I use 2 6k heads and also a 3.2 for a background light.
 
Monsta said:
I use a big old Bowens quadmatic. Such a heavy pack it is. It is always amazing how much light is needed. I use 2 6k heads and also a 3.2 for a background light.
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Thanks I’ll check them out. I may start a topic on advice For flash/strobes for large format.
 
This is wonderful.

My first post here but this is one of the main reasons I registered. I am currently looking at wet plate stuff and finding the flash with the power at reasonable prices is proving hard!!
 
Gareth said:
This is wonderful.

My first post here but this is one of the main reasons I registered. I am currently looking at wet plate stuff and finding the flash with the power at reasonable prices is proving hard!!
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Small thermonuclear devices should do it :)
Two or three detonated around your subject ... and badda bing badda bang ... loads of light
 
You can pick up BOWENS or Elinchrom stuff on eBay from time to time but it seems to be not so many available in the last few years.
 
There is a fair bit at this very moment on the flea bay ... some of the Elenchrom prices are a tad optimistic however. I have a five light Elenchro,setup that cost me less than £150 ... but I use a combination of 'No Bids' searches and 'Auction Sniper' bidding to get stuff a bit under what you commonly see.
 
Gareth said:
I have just actually done a deal on a Bowens 3000ws pack and head so hopefully that will do for now.
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Thanks great. Where did you pick it up?
I’ve a 2400w elinchrom pack but after @Monsta showing me the process I won’t have enough power for wetplate. You need ALOT of light. His setup is top. Great person to gain knowledge from.
 
Soulstar89 said:
Thanks great. Where did you pick it up?
I’ve a 2400w elinchrom pack but after @Monsta showing me the process I won’t have enough power for wetplate. You need ALOT of light. His setup is top. Great person to gain knowledge from.
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Oh really?? I have had a couple people say 3000 should be ok but as here, I have also read it's not enough. Nightmare isn't it?
Mine was from eBay. I pick it up on Sunday.
 
Sometimes it is sometimes it’s not. With fresh fastish collodion with not much bellows extension going on it should be good but closer in with older collodion it’s amazing how slow it can be.
 
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