Introduction to Wet Plate Collodion | June

Date  | Saturday, June 20th, &  Sunday, June 21st, 2026

Register early to help ensure your class runs. Courses that do not meet minimum enrollment may be cancelled. Class size is limited to 3 participants. 

Time  |   10 AM – 4 PM

Location |  Day 1: Colorado Photographic Arts Center

1200 Lincoln Street, Suite 111, Denver, CO, 80203

Day 2: Will be on location in the field – registrants will be notified of exact location

Cost  |  $595 Member and $650 Non-Member

Instructor  |  Shelby Wright

Skill Level  |  All Levels

Objective:

Participants will learn how to pour, expose, and develop their own plates, both in a studio setting and out in the field.

Course Description:

This two day workshops be held using the CPAC darkroom, with the classroom being used as a studio. A brief lecture to introduce the process (history, chemistry, and other considerations) and demonstration will be followed by a hands-on workshop. We will be photographing indoors using strobes on the first day, and outdoors using natural light out in the field on the second. This class is for anyone who is interested in learning a hands-on, analog process. No prior darkroom or large format experience is required, but a basic understanding of exposure is highly recommended.

All equipment and chemistry will be provided, but participants with their own 4×5 camera and lenses are welcome to bring them. By the end of the workshop, students should have the basic skills and knowledge to produce a wet plate collodion image on metal.

On the first day, each participant will aim to shoot 3 plates (it is recommended to come prepared to have your own portrait taken, and/or bring something to take a still life of). The last hour of the first day will be open to friends/partners if participants would like to take an image of or with them.

The second day will take place in the field, where students will learn how to make a test plate, learn the basics of field camera movements, and additional considerations for troubleshooting. Participants will be responsible for their own transportation and meals. In the event of inclemate weather, a make-up day will be scheduled for a future Sunday.

Participants will also be given a “quick start” guide to take home covering main topics addressed, links to further reading, chemistry recipes and suppliers, a materials checklist, etc

Topics covered: 

• Wet plate collodion: history, chemical safety, practicalities
• Pouring and sensitizing the plate
• Exposing a collodion plate  with a view camera & strobes
• Development and fixing
• Varnishing the finished plate

Materials Needed:

• All materials, chemistry, tools and and cameras will be provided
• 4×5 cameras will be made available for use
• If you would like to bring your own 4×5 camera or other materials to work with, you are welcome to do so