At IDarte, we love exploring the history of photography and offering unique experiences to our students. That’s why we were lucky to have Jon Andoni Martin, a true master of ancient techniques, guide us through the fascinating world of wet collodion and daguerreotype. These two 19th-century processes are mastered by very few people today.
It’s not every day that you get the chance to experiment with these techniques, as they require specific materials, great precision, and highly specialized knowledge. However, this two-day workshop allowed our photography students to explore these processes up close and experience photography in a completely different way.
On the first day, they worked with wet collodion, a technique from 1851 that requires speed and accuracy. From preparing the emulsion to developing images on glass or metal plates, the students experimented with this process and created portraits with a unique character and stunning aesthetics.
On the second day, they traveled even further back in time with daguerreotype, the first commercial photographic method. They worked with silver-plated copper plates and iodine and mercury vapors to create images with spectacular sharpness and a distinctive shine that makes them look like tiny windows to the past.
This workshop was an unforgettable experience. In a world dominated by digital photography, discovering the patience and artistry required for these processes makes us appreciate photography even more as a form of artistic expression. Thank you to Jon Andoni for sharing his knowledge and passion, and to our students for diving into this adventure with enthusiasm.
