James Pearson Photographer

[jameslpearson]

My Dad - 10x8 Ambrotype by James Pearson Via Flickr: My second attempt making 10x8 wet plate was a great success!

[jameslpearson]

Just finished my transport box for my 12x10 #MarionCamera. I'm really pleased with the result (despite the woodworking failures!)

[jameslpearson]

After months of preparation, finally my first 10x8 plate from #MarionCamera. Overexposed but still lovely for a first go with the Petzval 9" (ish) too. #wetplate #collodion

[jameslpearson]

Silver tank dipper template. I'll use the template with the table router and a sheet of Perspex. #wetplatecollodion

[jameslpearson]

My plate rack for large plates is finished! (Except for the varnish) I'm really pleased with it. That's a 10x8 plate on it. #MarionCamera #wetplatecollodion #NoviceWoodworker

[jameslpearson]

Finally gathered the courage to #PlasticWeld my 10x8 silver bath together after carefully cutting all the pieces over the last few weeks. I hope it will be water tight! #MarionCamera #wetplatecollodion #silverbath

[jameslpearson]

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Last night I managed to make a silver gelatin print in the #darkroom of the #GoreGlen waterfall #ambrotype. The contrast was hard to control; this was printed with a grade 0 filter with a little grade 2 to bring out the blacks. Happy with the result! #believeinfilm #makeprints

[jameslpearson]

Plates from last weekend still waiting to be varnished. It's always a bit scary. I'm going to try a silver gelatin print from the ambrotype first though. Maybe tonight... #wetplatecollodion #ambrotype #darkroom #plates

[jameslpearson]

Really happy with the plates from my first time making plates away from home in the dark tent and using the collodion and developer I mixed myself. Here's the sole #ambrotype from yesterday at #GoreGlen #wetplatecollodion

[instagram]

Documenting the Brave Crews of British Seas with @lordlowe

To see more of Jack’s lifeboat photography from the start of the project, follow (@lordlowe) on Instagram.

When Jack Lowe (@lordlowe) was only nine years old, he knew his career path would follow one of his two life passions: photography or lifeboats. Now, with a long photographic and printing career behind him, he is combining his love for the UK’s Royal National Lifeboat Institution (@RNLI), the sea and photography in one epic project.

Using a 19th century “wet collodion” process, developed around the same time the lifeboats were incorporated to provide search and rescue service around the British Isles, Jack will take photos at all 237 RNLI stations on the coastlines. “The project will be a fundraiser and awareness-raiser for the RNLI,” says Jack, who is developing on the go in an old ambulance that’s been converted into a darkroom. “People have a real emotional connection with some of the stations – maybe they were saved once or their family are lifeboat crew. They are incredibly brave and inspiring.”

At each stop, Jack plans to take three wet plate photos – of the crew, the coxswain and the seascape.

“When you hold a glass plate in your hand it’s like a time capsule,” he explains. “Like somehow you’ve managed to trap that moment within that piece of glass. It’s grainless because it’s a smooth wet plate, so it’s an extraordinary image which has soul.”

[jameslpearson]

After falling in love with the front cover of this month's BJP, I was inspired to make a similar image with Abi. Going for a different look I selected a rare sheet of Fuji FP-3000B in the Sinar Norma. The lighting was natural light from a Velux window and some fill from the window opposite and a silver reflector below. The soft, beautiful finish of FP-3000B reminds me of just how much I will miss it when I run out!

[jameslpearson]

An #ambrotype of Abi in her witch costume for her ballet Hallowe'en party #wetplatecollodion #believeinfilm

[jameslpearson]

My large format project; Hume Castle

[jameslpearson]

Norma is a swinger #believeinfilm #sinarnorma #swing

[jameslpearson]

Nice early morning with the cows, a farmer and Norma. The one thing I like about this time of year is that it's easier to catch sun rise.

[jameslpearson]

New, massive 14" f/5.6 war time aerial lens. Mounts perfectly on a spare Sinar lens board after drilling some holes and using some self-tappers. Huge bellows extension required (40cm+) for a subject at 2 metres away. I needed a lens cap so I made one from cardboard, felt and hockey tape - it works perfectly! :) #believeinfilm #barrellens #sinarnorma #dallmeyer #aeriallens #lenscap #diy

[jameslpearson]

My first self portrait ambrotype. Underexposed and raw but I like it!