What is a dry plate negative?

DRY PLATE NEGATIVE (gelatin dry plate), 1880-1920 Gelatin is mixed with light sensitive materials, forming an emulsion that is machine-coated in one step onto large sheets of glass. The glass sheets are then cut down to the desired sizes. Because the negatives are exposed dry, the process is called dry plate negative.

What were wet and dry plate negatives?

Historical Context Wet plate negatives, invented by Frederick Scoff Archer in 1851, were in use from the early 1850s until the 1880s. Dry plate negatives are typically on thinner glass plates, with a more evenly coated emulsion. Dry plate glass negatives were in common use between the 1880s and the late 1920s.

What is a glass plate negative?

The term “glass plate negative” refers to two separate formats: the collodion wet plate negative and the gelatin dry plate. Both of these formats consist of a light sensitive emulsion that is fixed to the glass plate base with a binder. Dozens of photographic techniques have been used within the past 150 years.

What is dry gelatin?

Gelatin or gelatine is a translucent, colorless, brittle (when dry), flavorless food derived from collagen obtained from various animal body parts. It is commonly used as a gelling agent in food, pharmaceutical drugs, vitamin capsules, photography, and cosmetic manufacturing.

How do you read a glass plate negative?

Use a DSLR and Lightbox for Image Capture Whilst glass plate negatives can be digitised using a flatbed scanner (pictured below) and achieve good outputs, we believe that a DSLR camera and lightbox set up (pictured above) produces the best image results.

How do you make a glass plate negative?

Spreading the gelatin solution evenly over the prepared glass base. Drying the plates after coating with the gelatin solution. Preparing and levelling the plates for pouring the liquid emulsion layer. Pouring the liquid emulsion over the prepared glass plate under red safe light conditions in the darkroom.

Are old glass negatives valuable?

Certainly there can be no value put on the family interest of your negatives. On an open market however, their value could be from only a few cents to hundreds of dollars.

What were the disadvantages of the collodion wet plate process?

The wet collodion process had a major disadvantage. The entire process, from coating to developing, had to be done before the plate dried. This gave the photographer no more than about 10-15 minutes to complete everything. This made it inconvenient for field use, as it required a portable darkroom.

How do you clean and preserve a glass plate negative?

Use a soft brush (we use a dusting brush with goat hair bristles) to gently clean the emulsion side of the plate. This removes dirt and any broken glass particles without scratching the emulsion. Don’t clean this side with water–that would risk washing off the emulsion!

How much gelatin does it take to set 500ml?

One envelope is enough to set 2 cups (500ml) liquid. Unfortunately as volume measures can vary you can get between 2 teaspoons and 2 1/2 teaspoons of gelatine powder per 1/4-ounce envelope.

How do you protect glass plate negatives?

For best protection, encase a glass plate negative in a stable plastic sleeve, then place it in a paper envelope. Store it vertically in a tightly packed manuscript box or in a box equipped with grooves.