The Beginning | Going Analog

By David Parrish

Posted: 03/14/17

Category: Going Analog

I have been recently rediscovering my love of creating off of the computer screen. Especially with wood. There is just something about using your hands and creating something your imagination has dreamt up. It has brought me pure joy and happiness. 

Since we started photography as a couple, Jada has always told me about her days using UVA's large format camera. It has always intrigued me but I never explored the process much past her stories. A few weeks ago I came across a photographer who builds his own cameras. I was instantly intrigued. The process of building your own tool, using it, and using your hands to make a photograph is 100% awesome to me. 

I have decided to document my exploration of going analog to hopefully encourage others and to also motivate myself to keep going. I have to first build the camera and then learn a process to create the images on metal. 

The Camera

I have done hours of research about 4x5 cameras, people who have made their own, and how to build bellows. The internet has been a huge help. Here is my first sketch of what I want to build. 

The Process

I am going to focus on learning how to do tintypes, printing on metal. I plan on perfecting my craft to take portraits and boudoir portraits. Here is Wikipedia's definition of "tintype":

"A tintype, also known as a melainotype or ferrotype, is a photograph made by creating a direct positive on a thin sheet of metal coated with a dark lacquer or enamel and used as the support for the photographic emulsion."

Keep checking back in to see my progress.