b.1958
Being a commercial photographer for more than 35 years, Colorado Springs resident Don Jones was always on the leading edge of technology. But lately, he’s been going backwards. About 150 years backwards, in fact. Today he shoots with his 8×10-inch wooden-frame Deardorff camera with an 1890 brass lens. And his work is much more craft than tech.
Over the past five years, Don has mastered the art and science of Wet Plate Collodion photography and is now using this process to create authentic, 19th Century glass plate images.
Recent wet plate work includes photographing the renowned Florida Highwaymen painters for their new Museum. And images for the 19th Century Project, a show that was part of the Colorado Springs Sesquicentennial celebration.
For the past several months he has turned his lens on the West, documenting some of the places and characters that make up this rugged territory. Which is appropriate, because the Wet Plate Collodion process was the predominant photographic method from around 1851 until 1880, a time when much of the World first discovered the Old West.
Don’s Western photos and the story of Wet Plate Collodions were told in the 2022 February/ March issue of the prestigious Cowboys & Indians magazine.
Don Jones Photography, Wet Plate Collodion Alumatype 10 X 8 (Interest categories: Wet Plate Collodion Alumatype, Western, Portrait, Photography, Works On Paper, Fine Art, Art Gallery, Don Jones Artist)
1. Clay – Chavant Le Beau Touche. Get the regular clay, not HM (high melt).
2. Clay warming devices, a metal bucket with a clamp on heat lamp or 100 W bulb works great.
3. Tie wire.
4. Aluminum foil.
5. Scissors.
6. Favorite sculpture tools.
7. Plank of wood (pine) approximately 8″ x 8″ x 2″.
Bring as many planks as you wish…the wood is used as the base for your sculpture.
8. Plumber’s pipe, 1/2″ threaded: Bring several different lengths…up to 10″…not PVC pipe.
Plumber’s pipe T joint.
Plumber’s pipe couplers.
Plumber’s pipe flange.
9. Screws and screwdriver to secure the flange to wood…this may be done before you arrive. (Place flange in the center of plank)
10. Wire cutters
11. Needle nose pliers
12. Rubber mallet.
13. Spatula
14. Measuring devices such as rulers, measuring tape, dividers, and calipers.
15. Because we concentrate on BIRDS IN FLIGHT, live models in the classroom are more distracting than useful. I will demonstrate the technique of constructing a cantilevered bird armature that can be used for many different bird species and will show you how to assemble shapes to capture the “gist” of the specific bird.
16. Bird field guides such as Peterson, Stokes, Golden, or Sibley. Sibley’s Guide to Birds (not Sibley’s Guide to Bird Life and Behavior) is best if bringing only one field guide. This popular book can usually be purchased at any bookstore.
17. Bring your laptop to the class if possible.
18. Bring your sketchbook.
1 Lake Circle Colorado Springs, Colorado 80906
broadmoorgalleries.com
