News and Information from
Camp Tintype
Contents
Horse Hairs in My Soup - eBook series by John Coffer <<< Chapter 2 now online
Jamboree 2010 - Over but not forgotten <<< Photos now being posted
2010 Workshop Information <<< All workshops are full!
New MythBusters article <<< Myth of the "Helper Tray"
Just Tintypes Workshops <<< All classes are now full!
Brief Overview of the Wet-Plate Process <<< Scan of a letterpress handout
Manuals and DVDs Now Available
Wet-Plate Collodion Follow-Up Kit
Contact Information
Biographical & Camp Tintype Information
<<< Reason #12 why Camp Tintype is the best
John Coffer and his old traveling horse, Brownie, at Camp Tintype.
Albumen print from a wet-plate collodion negative. ©2001 by John Coffer.
Announcement
Gerald Peters Gallery Show Announcement
My latest Ferrotype Tintypes will be shown at Gerald Peters Gallery in Santa Fe, NM from August 20 to September 24, 2010. Many Mammoths! Check their website for more details as we draw closer to show time. I will be at the opening. -JC
Here is the press release from the Gerald Peters Gallery.
NOTE: All workshops are now full. However, you can put your name on a standby list and should someone cancel out (or more workshops are scheduled later in the year), you could still get in. Just mail your name and contact information to John and you will be put on the list on a first-come first-served basis.
********** Now in our 15th year of teaching wet-plate workshops! **********
|
Featuring three solid days of hands-on training in the making of:
2010 Workshop Dates: New Policy on Deposits for the Workshops: The usual $250 deposit is required to hold a workshop spot for a student. It is refundable only if I can fill that spot with another student before workshop time. Absolutely no exceptions. Also, full payment of the rest of the tuition fee must be made 30 days or sooner before the workshop scheduled date by check, money order, or cash, just like the deposit. And also, just like the deposit, it is not refundable unless the workshop spot can be filled before workshop time. I regret this hardcore approach to the business side of the workshops, but after a couple of student no-shows, a no-show demanding his deposit back, and a rubber check in '09, I have no choice. You can only write so much off to the cost of doing business and I'm not the kind to drag people to small claims court or haggle over the filthy lucre. -JC
Includes a comprehensive manual with instructional DVD set. Each student will receive "The Doers Guide", a complete, 165 page, fully illustrated workshop manual covering the entire wet-plate process, including the making of albumen photographs. Manuals can be purchased separately for $75.00 ppd. USA, refundable toward workshop tuition, and includes DVDs (4 hours total). The DVD set is available separately for $45.00 ppd. Contact John Coffer by regular mail for details. Don't delay - class size is limited to only 4 students
For details and registration, write: NOTE: Private tutoring is also available for $550 per day as to your schedule and individual needs. I have more than 28 years experience as a professional wet-plate collodion portrait photographer and am well prepared to teach you the correct time honored methods that work consistently and the best. -JC EXTRA! EXTRA! Free Play Day! For those taking the above beginner/intermediate wet-plate collodion in-the-field workshops, you are invited to stay over at no extra charge an extra day! You may shoot wet-plates with our gear and supplies to your heart's content. We have found over the years that after the third day of the workshop, all the students have the routine down pat and are chomping at the bit to keep right on shooting fun images around the farm. You may even shoot plates as large as 8x10 (limited in number) if you like. Also, be aware that students are welcome to check in the day before the workshop officially begins to settle in if they are camping, but also to look over the wet-plate gear we will be using, or have us look over any potential wet-plate gear they care to bring along for evaluation or would like to try to shoot with. Further, be it known that workshop days are very full at Camp Tintype. When the sun shines we make wet-plate hay, and after supper we usually varnish plates and mix some chemistry into the night. In short, if you are seeking as much wet-plate bang for your buck as you can get, look no further than Camp Tintype! |
Just Tintypes Workshops - All classes are full
Additional workshop added- July 22, 23, & 24, 2010.
Sorry, but all classes are now full.
The June 17, 18, & 19, 2010 workshop is full, but see above for standby list info.
If wet-plate tintypes are what grabs you the most, this is the workshop for you. If you are an experienced wet-plate photographer but want to specialize in tintypes, this workshop will put you on the right path. If you are a total beginner but don't see yourself doing anything but tintypes for the foreseeable future, there is no better way to start off with learning wet-plate than with making tintypes.
This class is sure to be productive and exciting!
We will be shooting mostly authentic Ferrotype (not the aluminotype) tintypes in sizes up to 6 1/2" x 8 1/2" (traditional whole plate). Everyone will get a chance to black japan their own plates by the original baked on asphaltum paint method. Hand coloring will be practiced on plates of your choice for spectacular image results. Stereo tintypes and round badge tintypes will also be a couple fun options. Without a doubt more plates will be shot in this workshop than any other!
Tuition is still $700.00 per student. Class size is limited, so register soon.
Also, the extra Sunday "Free Play Day", as described above, will apply to this workshop as well!
To sign up for this unique class, write to:
John A. Coffer
1236 Dombroski Rd.
Dundee, NY 14837
Manuals and DVDs Now Available
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This manual has cost me way more money than it's made. Why? Because it’s so utterly thorough and complete. And especially so, with its three and a half hour instructional DVD set included with it! Many a would-be wet-plate photographer has bought it, taught themselves the process, then gone onto making award-winning wet-plate images without ever setting foot in my workshops or anyone else's, for that matter. That said, do keep in mind that a workshop experience at "Camp Tintype" is something beyond just a workshop. It is a life changing experience. -JC
Chemical Mixing, Managing, and Maintaining DVD
The Chemical Mixing, Managing, and Maintaining DVD is out and available for $18.00 ppd.
The Complete Wet-Plate Instructional DVD Set
The Complete Wet-Plate Instructional DVD Set (4 hours), which now includes the above chemical
mixing, etc. section, is now available for $45.00 ppd.
The Doers Guide to Wet-Plate Collodion Photography
The Doers Guide to Wet-Plate Collodion Photography manual, with the complete DVD set, is
now available for $75.00 ppd. (Canada cost is $95.00 ppd. and overseas cost is $110.00 ppd.)
NOTE: Payment for any orders must be by check, cash, or money order for U.S. orders, and by
international money order or cash for foreign orders.
To order any of the above material, write to:
John A. Coffer
1236 Dombroski Rd.
Dundee, NY 14837
Your Wet-Plate Collodion Follow-Up Kit
Finally, a reliable kit for the beginning wet-plate workshop student
You are now able to take this home for an uninterrupted flow of wet-plate fun!
For only $225.00, this kit includes the following:
> 500 mls of ready to pour Ol' Workhorse Collodion.
> One liters worth of Potassium Cyanide Fixing solution.
> One liter of Ferrous Sulfate Developer ready to use.
> 500 mls of Silver Nitrate Bath Solution all ready to sensitize your plates.
> 200 mls of Gum Sandarac Varnish.
> Two sheets of 12"x24" "peel & pour" plates ready to cut down to whatever sizes of positives you want to make.
> 100 mls of Calcium Carbonate glass cleaner.
Additionally...
Follow-up kits can be had now with glass hydrometer and glass cylinder for calibrating and maintaining the silver bath for an extra $20.
This kit is only available to workshop & tutorial students at "Camp Tintype"
No other workshop or tutorial anywhere offers this extra service. Yet another reason why "Camp Tintype" workshops are the Best!
Jamboree 2010 - July 30, 31, and August 1, 2010.
Update 7/17/2010
The tintype of "Big Bird" is by world-renowned photo artist and Camp Tintype Student, Siobhan Ridgway. It will be on the Jamboree T-shirts. T-shirts will be available for $15 each, first come, first served.
Big Bird by Siobhan Ridgway, 2010
Haven Noble, all the way from Iowa, will be bringing a large stock of 80% acetic acid to sell to all. Also, he will be demonstrating his novel "Coating Chamber" method of flowing collodian on a plate.
Like accordian music? The principle musician and keyboardist for the late-night Conan O'Brian Tonight Show will be playing for tips with his accordian about the campfire over the weekend. Well, tips like "Seabiscut in the ninth race" anyway.
Should be a record turnout of attendees if everybody who says they are coming comes! See ya soon!
Update 5/15/2010
As always, the fantastic gourmet Saturday banquet will be provided by Mike Jacobson of Art Craft Chemicals. Save shipping costs and order a years supply of chemicals from Mike and pick it up at the Jamboree!
Steve Silipigni of Black Art Woodcraft will be providing the free beer and soda on Saturday. Same thing for Steve - save shipping costs and pick up that new field darkbox and camera made by Black Art at the Jam!
Yours truly will be selling a limited amount of KCY at $40 per half pound container. Where else you gonna get it but at the Jam!
Eddie Gunks will be fresh back from another 19th century lens mining expedition to Europe and should have a nice selection of them, and cameras, etc., for sale.
More old time music players will be here. Looks like Nashville recording artist Todd Osborn will be dropping by the evening campfire to play some sizzling banjo and mandolin.
Greg Martin, a master at the craft of wet-plate and a regular at the Jam, will be bringing his gorgeous new 20x24 camera and will be shooting lots of plates with it. So, if you are into "Mammoth," don't miss this. I may do a few 20x24s myself with the "Matthew Brady."
Sorry to say that Sally has not committed yet. But there's still time! Come on, Sally!
First, a few words about the '09 Jamboree
Dear Jamboree 2009 attendees,
A Big Thanks!! Highlights of '09 were many. Again, it was an international event, having attendees from as far away as England and Northern-most Mexico (yes, "Province of California"). Amigo Will Dunniway and pards traveled all the way from there to attend. Will sold and signed many copies of his new book, "Will Dunniway the Collodion Photographer". Yours truly gave a demo on how to hand color plates using pastel powders. Music was provided by assorted troupers but most notably by Bill Stauber and Troy Bennet, around the big blazing evening campfire. We especially enjoyed Troy's very humorus "Mermaid Song" and Bill’s absolutely impromptu, but completely hilarious version of the "Wet-Plate Blues".
It was also a record turnout. We had over forty wet-platers attend. About two thirds were here with their in-the-field darkboxes and cameras, shooting up a storm! The Raffle came back for '09 with many cool prizes given away. Proceeds always go to cover incidental expenses of the Jamboree. As usual, Mike Jacobson of Art Craft Chemicals, provided the Saturday afternoon banquet, cooked and brought in by one of the areas best known chefs! Mike also provided many of the prizes given away in the raffle. Thank You, Mike!
Yes, we again held the Sunday afternoon "Sally Mann What are the Remains" award ceremony. This year’s first place winner was Tom DeLooza. First runner up was Sam Dole. It was really a tough call, because all the entries were soooo bad, er, I mean good. Tom mumbled an acceptance speech, I don't think anyone heard over the pandemonium. Tom and Sam's names were inscribed by black magic marker on the coveted "Big Bone" for all to envy at future Jamborees. I just want to say here that I noticed that all the entrants chose their plates from their garbage piles only minutes before the judging started. We hope that you will be a little more intentional, like Sally, next year. This is serious Art! But, Sally, be it known, We Love You! We will always appreciate your most major contribution to the art of wet-plate photography, which is that it is just funky doory and all around O.K. to have some flaws and even major screw-ups on your plates and still feel good about them. Yes, we can sometimes rejoice in our disasters! Thank You, Sally!! You are forever invited to visit Camp Tintype and please come to the annual Jamboree. Really! Really!
One of our favorite Jamboree regulars, Dave Prifti was unable to attend the '09 Jam due to his current struggle with cancer. As the sign attested in the event group Tintype, WIN PRIFTI! We trust he will certainly do that and be here in 2010 to shoot with us again!
And now - Announcing the Tenth Annual Wet-Plate "Jamboree"
So, what about this year's Jamboree! It will be JULY 30, 31, & AUGUST 1. It will be dedicated to that famous wet-plate model and one trick chicken, "Big Bird". Yes, there will be Big Bird T-shirts. This will also be a "Tin Lizzie" event. Myself and Jody Dole will both have our Model T Fords up and going. So, if you have never ridden in one it will be a great opportunity for that. They also make great subject matter for Tintypes. Hey, if anybody else has a "T" please bring it along. Clearly, its going to be the best Jamboree ever! If you are a practicing wet-plate photographer you are invited. No charge, as usual. Be there!!
For more information and authorization to attend, please write:
John A. Coffer
"Camp Tintype"
1236 Dombroski Rd.
Dundee, NY 14837
E-mail address:
Click here to email John
Please note that since John does not have Internet access at Camp Tintype, all email sent here will be
printed and mailed to John once every couple of weeks. To receive a reply from
John as soon as possible, please include your mailing address in the email.
It will be faster to write him a letter at…
Mailing address:
John A. Coffer
1236 Dombroski Rd.
Dundee, NY 14837
Biographical & Camp Tintype Information
Having started out using commercially available, at the time, dry plate tintypes and glass negatives to make his living, he eventually was able to glean enough information from historic archives and gather up the necessary chemicals from different sources, that by 1982, he was able to do the much more desirable wet-plate collodion process. That spring, he immediately began making wet-plate collodion Tintypes (the real Ferrotype kind), ambrotypes, and glass plate negatives for his patrons, as he camped on field and farm and small town back lots along his way.
In 1985, after more than 11,000 wagon miles and having passed through 36 different states, John and his horse "Brownie" settled down on their own 50 acre farm in the heart of the beautiful "Finger Lakes" country of up-state New York.
Tintype of John Coffer by Tom DeLooza, 2005
"Brownie" went on to graze in the big pasture in the sky at the ripe old age of 34.
Here are twelve reasons why "Camp Tintype" workshops are the best wet-plate collodion experience to be had anywhere:
1. Highest student teacher ratio.
The class is limited to only four students and will be taught regardless as to any fewer than that should arrive.
2. Students make a lot of Pictures.
Typically, a workshop student goes home with ten to a dozen or more plates. Each student will be making Tintypes, ambrotypes, glass negative, and albumen prints.
3. Ideal span of Time.
Three days has proven to be just right for this immersion experience.
4. The Price is Right.
Shop around and you'll see that "Camp Tintype" workshop and tutorial prices are very competitive and more so, considering you get a bigger bang for your buck!
5. Free Camping!
Save a bundle on lodging and campout! There are on-site Teepees or bring your own tent. For the less adventerous, there are a number of B & B's and motels in the area. Also, plenty of restaurants and grocery stores.
6. Close to photography mecha, Rochester, NY.
Camp Tintype is about 90 miles south of Rochester. Call ahead to the George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and make an appointment to see their behind the scenes collection of rare old wet-plate images and equipment, if you like. Cost is only the standard price of admission to the museum.
7. The workshops are specifically taught, as is necessary to do the wet-plate process in the field.
Most see themselves going outside or on the road to shoot wet-plate, at some point in time. This requires a certain know-how and set of gear unlike the generally less challenging modern walk-in darkroom and studio situation other wet-plate workshops and tutorials tend to be taught in. After learning to do the process in the field and becoming comfortable with that, it is an easy transition to doing it in a studio. Not so, the other way around!
8. Camp Tintype is laid back.
The rooster starts sounding off at about 5:30AM, but class doesn't start till about 9:00AM. All take a short lunch break at about noon (bring your own snacks and beverage) and then resumes till about 5:30PM or whenever. The class is often still talking wet-plate on into the night while roasting hot dogs and smores over the big evening campfire.
9. Totally experienced Teacher.
John Coffer has been doing wet-plate collodion photography professionally for more than 27 years and been teaching workshops and tutorials for over fourteen years. He has had many apprentices over that time and is ultimately the teacher to the teachers of the teachers of the teachers. His personal work is well known in the art photography world, having had numerous shows of his Tintypes in some of the most prestigious galleries in New York City and the country. He has been favorably reviewed and featured in top publications such as the New York Times, The New Yorker, Village Voice, People, Wired, Aperture, and Forbes, to name a few.
You can expect plenty of patient help from John at the workshop or by correspondence afterwards.
10. The world's best wet-plate Manual and Instructional DVD.
At a whopping 165 pages, no other contemporary manual compares! And, it comes with a 4 hour DVD set, that features the process in detail, the many equipment options, black japanning Ferrotype plates (for making authentic Tintypes on) and many other must see to appreciate vital aspects of wet-plate collodion photography. And, if that isn't enough, you receive your copy as soon as you sign up for a workshop or tutorial. It's mailed right out to you. Many get a big head start that way. No other wet-plate workshop dares to provide so much!
11. We have TeePees for students to stay in!
As well as other 19th century-style very comfortable and fun tentage.
12. Top-notch cameras and other equipment
We do not use original mid-19th century era wet-plate cameras in our workshops, but rather finely crafted, very serviceable reproductions with original wet-plate era lenses and also, and very importantly, an assortment of 20th century cameras of all shapes and sizes, adapted to doing wet-plate. You will be able to relax and not live in fear that you might harm an ultra rare fine original 1860's or 70's wet-plate camera. Actually, those cameras are so scarce now they should never be used but rather carefully preserved for future generations to study. With our repro and otherwise cameras you will be able to shoot way more plates, having nearly unrestricted mobility about the farm setting up your compositions. Yes, I know, not as sexy as being able to say you shot a couple plates through an all original wet-plate camera, but far less stressful and way more productive. You'll soon find out Camp Tintype workshops are very much about doing and not about pomp and pageantry.
Reproduction of an 1850's 11x14 field camera with original Darlow lens.
Camera and tripod made by Tony Miller, 1998.
Image is a 5x7 albumen print by John Coffer from a 5x7 wet-plate nagative
Note: There are no phones or E-mail at "Camp Tintype".
Correspondence
is, by preference, done by mail. Write:
John A. Coffer
"Camp Tintype"
1236 Dombroski Road
Dundee, NY 14837
Website updated on: 7/21/2010
For comments and suggestions regarding this website,
please send email to the Webmaster.