I’m headed to Charleston, SC tomorrow for a wedding. I prepared two daguerreotype plates this week and stuffed them into plate holders. I’ve packed all this stuff so that I can process them in the hotel room if they come out.
It troubles me a bit because I’ve never stored a sensitized plate for longer than a few hours before shooting it. This should be the test that finally tells me empirically if such a thing is possible. I’ve heard legend but this is something I need to see for myself. If this works then I’ll prepare the next trip to Washington,DC for a long weekend of daguerreotypie.
In the photograph are (more or less left to right):
- developing trays
- beakers
- filter paper
- dust blower
- glass stir rod
- gilding solution (wrapped in brown)
- x-acto blade
- sealing glass and mats (wrapped in white)
- plate holders (modified film carriers)
- lithography mask (red)
- J-Lar Tape
- Black light-fast masking tape
- Cleaning cloth
- x-acto handle
- Funnel
- Pre-measured Na2S2O3 developer (brown bottle)
- Hair Dryer
- Collapsible ring stand (for gilding)
- Propane cannister
- Blowtorch attachment
Surprisingly, it all fits in the backpack. Then, of course, there’s the 8×10″ camera, tripod, and other camera accessories. I wonder why people don’t like traveling with me…
Jonathan