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After 11 years working with photographs in collecting institutions I embarked on becoming both artist and artisan making unique photographs that transend time and place. In the decade or so since I have taught myself to not only make these images on silver mirrors, but the enclosures traditional to their 19th century heyday, which impart to the viewer a reverence that individual photographs do not usually hold.
Both the production processes of the image and its presentation are laborius, intricate and prone to failure of intention. Each silver coated copper plate must be brought to a state of high mirror like polish from its mat and opaque condition from its foundry production. Sensitsed to light with elemental iodine and bromine, the image exposed in camera is devleoped over heated mercury to reveal the latent image. The emulsion less image sits directly on the surface of the metal sheet and to protect this fragility is sealed behind glass in the leather covered wooden case.
The process of acquiring and procurring these skills grew out of a interest in antiquated photographs that progressed to a passion for them as objects. At the time the only opportunity to experience instruction in the historical photographic processes was in the USA at the George Eastman House in Rochester, NY. After having worked with the three main national photographic collections in NZ, I spent a year in Rochester before graduating and taking up a position at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC. My institutional experiences also saw me consulating to Magnum photo agency and some of its photographers individually. My experiences of looking at collections of photographs and art generally and in the meeting of contemporary artists, galvanised my resolve to pursue my own version and produciton.
Today I am the premier maker of traditional daguerreotype enclosures internationally as well as a prominent daguerreotypist in the small band of makers spread around the globe.
I am also a founding co-editor of Cdags.org the international community website for contemporary daguerreotypists. |
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