The Daguerreotype: Contemporary work by Jonathan Danforth

When you’re engaged in something as arcane as making daguerreotypes it’s important to keep notes. I always have one of my little notebooks with me so that I can jot down the UV reading, EV reading, and other information about a daguerreotype that I’m working on.  I thought that it was high time for me to customize these books.

I’ve recently become a member of TechShop Durham and, consequently, have access to all manner of exotic tools.  One of my favorite tools at Tech Shop is the Epilog Laser Engraver.

These images are cut right into the surface of the leather.  The one on the right was run at a higher power and, thus, has burned straight through to the cardboard.  The one on the right was run at lower power so it has retained some of the epidermis.  Did I mention that they smell like death after they come out of the machine?  That should wear off soon.

Lest you think me some sort of mad genius, I should point out that this is not a new idea.

The next step is to try a mashup old world gold tooling techniques with modern laser techniques.  Since the laser is nothing more than a heat beam I’m curious to see if it will activate the size on the leather through the gold leaf.  I’m sure Gavin would like to know!

Fun!

I have had to learn dozens of skills in the pursuit of making daguerreotyping.  I needed to learn woodworking, leathercraft, CNC machining, electoplating, gold tooling, bookbinding, etc.  One of the most fun little tips that I picked up along the way was this simple method for embossing velvet.

The side facing the daguerreotype in 19th century daguerreotype (and ambrotype) cases was often a silk velvet that had been embossed.  Back in the day they would use a hand-engraved metal stamp for this but for our purposes a rubber stamp works just fine.

I finally figured out how to do this and now, years later, have found a video on YouTube that demonstrates the exact same method that I use.  Enjoy!

You can use any number of bold stamps.   I have found many on eBay.  Recently I have acquired some new technology that can be used to etch my own custom stamps with ease.  I just used this new method to customize a stamp by addnig the date upon which the gift will be given.

This method is extrememly durable.  I’ve found that the best results come from using an artificial rayon velvet.  Got any to show?

Jonathan

I am a big fan of Neighborhoodies.  I own a handful of their ready-made shirts including “I Choo-Choo-Choose You”, and “Helvetica”.  I used their design-a-shirt tool to make this specimen on the left.  MAN I love the Internet.

Neighborhoodies has a metallic silver ink that was too good to pass up for M. Daguerre’s visage.

I believe that this is the only Daguerre-themed t-shirt in existence.  I also claim to have coined the phrase daguerreoshirt. 

The first person (that I don’t KNOW, ALAN!) to stop me on the street that “gets” it will receive a hug and a free 4×5″ cased daguerreotype.

Special thanks to Jeremy Moore for helping with the outline!