Making Collodion Negatives & Albumen Prints in Barcelona

I just finished a three-day marathon of making Collodion Negatives, Albumen, and Albumen paper. It was a lot of fun!8x10 Collodion Negative – 15 secs – Intensified with Copper and printed on Albumen/toned – Quinn Jacobson, Barcelona Spain November 7, 2009

People underestimate what it takes to make (Collodion) negatives. It’s not so much the actual making of the negative, it’s all the stuff that has to happen after the negative is made; (possible) intensification, making albumen, and albumen paper, sensitizing the paper, printing the image out, toning the image, fixing the image, washing the image, etc. etc. It’s a lot of work! 

We had several discussions over the last few days about why so few people make negatives/Albumen prints. My theory is that we live in a place and time where commitment to this kind of process isn’t valued, or rewarded (so much). Especially, when you can make gorgeous Collodion positive images (Ambrotypes, Tintypes, Alumitypes, etc.) in just few minutes that require a fraction of the work, equipment, supplies, and moreover commitment and patience. When you put those things together, you have very few people left that are willing to commit to the Collodion Negative and Albumen printing process.

Even the (unmatched) beauty of the Albumen print; with all of its tonal range and detail, can’t compel or persuade the masses like the positive process has. I predict that you will never see more than a few people working (not tinkering, but making serious work) in the Collodion Negative/Albumen Printing process. It’s too consuming and too difficult for all but a handful of people. And let me emphasize: Collodion Negatives and Albumen Prints – not Salt, not Centennial POP, not Collodion POP, Negatives and Albumen!

To all of those that participated in this workshop; thank you! To the Atelieretaguardia Studio; thank you! I had a wonderful time, and I look forward to seeing everyone again soon – maybe in Paris??? 

Barcelona Wet Plate Workshop 2009 Part 1

We wrapped up the first workshop here in Barcelona tonight. I can’t say enough about Atelieretaguardia Studio. They are wonderful people (Rebecca, Israel, Marti and Xavi) in a wonderful place. Thank you for inviting me again and hosting these events. What incredible memories for me! Johanne from Norway.

We had 9 people in the workshop; Mercedes (Spain), Marta (Spain), Rosell (Spain), Jana (Serbia), Bryan (Serbia/Ireland), Agnes (Spain), Ramon (Spain), David (Spain), and Johanne (Norway). Thank you! I’m honored to call you friends. You made some wonderful images over the last few days! And your varnishing techniques rival the “master’s”! Congratulations for a workshop well done! I look forward to seeing you all again!

It’s late, and I’m sitting here in our apartment, a short distance from the Mediterranean Sea. I’m listening to the people in El Raval live their lives. El Raval is a special place. It’s poor and it’s real, real as in authentic. We shop at the local stores, eat at the local cafes and enjoy being “among the people” – it’s very comfortable. Say what you will about El Raval, I love it, most wouldn’t.

El Raval is a neighborhood in the Ciutat Vella district of Barcelona, Spain. The neighborhood is also known as Barri xinés, meaning "Chinatown." El Raval is one of the two historical neighborhoods that border the Rambla (the other being the Barri Gòtic). The neighborhood is home to 200,000 people.

An area historically infamous for its nightlife and cabarets, as well as prostitution and crime, El Raval has changed significantly in recent years and, due to its central location, has become a minor attraction of Barcelona. It is currently the home to a very diverse immigrant community (50% of its population was born abroad), ranging from Pakistanis and Indonesians, to a more recent Eastern European community, especially from Romania. El Raval is also becoming one of the hippest up-and-coming neighborhoods of Barcelona where many artists live and work. It is home to many bars, restaurants, and night spots. (Wiki)

We have a few days now before the next workshop. We’re sleeping in tomorrow, and when we get up, we’ll wander around El Raval, drink some Cortados, watch the people, and enjoy being alive and being in this place.

(Photo above right: “Johanne From Norway” – Quinn Jacobson 8x10 Black Glass Ambrotype - demonstration)

Barcelona Wet Plate Workshops

I wanted to post an update on our Barcelona trip. I'm somewhat burned out writing here and on my forum, so I'm going to throw in a couple of links to the forum board. If you want to see more and read more, you can check these out:

Barcelona Wet Plate Collodion Workshop #1

Barcelona Wet Plate Collodion Workshop #2

We had a wonderful time in Spain. By far my favorite country in Europe. It's mostly due to the fact that people can be who they are and not be stared at or chastised for being different. That's a very different way of life from Germany. Maybe I am over-sensitive, but Germany is a difficult place to live at times.

16" x 20" Clear Glass Negative (Scanned) - The Jacobsons 
ATELIERETAGUARDIA Studio members, left to right; Israel, Ricard, Arcangela, Rebecca, Quinn, and Marti.

Barcelona, Spain (Catalonia)

There are so many wonderful things to say about Barcelona, Spain. There are also some bad things to talk about too. It's a poor city (for the most part) and relies on tourism as the main source of income. The irony here is that there are pickpockets and thieves out and about all of the time. They aren't violent, they only take what they can and tourists give them plenty of opportunities to do just that. It's kind of biting the hand that feeds when you have so much crime against tourists and they are the source of your income. Regardless, it's a safe city and you can walk the streets without any problems as long as you have some "urbana sensibildad". The people here are warm and friendly and the food and drink are some of the best in the world. We love tapas and all things seafood. We are sitting here in our apartment and I can see the ships on the Mediterranean Sea, c'mon!

The first thing I would say about Barcelona is that it's my favorite city in Europe. If I could, I would live here in a heartbeat. The city is full of energy and it's very "loose". That's both a good thing and a bad thing. I love the language (and can actually get by here). If I could spend six months here, I would be speaking Spanish again without too much trouble. This is our second trip here and will not be our last.

We're here because I was asked to come and teach two wet plate Collodion workshops.  I just finished with one (Friday, Saturday and Sunday). I will teach another this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. In the interim, we have been walking the city, riding the subway and just taking it easy. Tomorrow, which is Wednesday, May 28, 2008, I am going to work with the studio that sponsored me here to make giant wet plate images (16"x20") of the "Botero Gato" en la Rambla - (a giant Botero Cat). I'm looking forward to that. We have to watch the crowds, again, a security issue, but it will be fine. The newspapers will be there to interview me and the studio - a historic event! I'm fortunate to be involved with it!

I'll try to make another post when we get back to Germany next week. Enjoy the photos and video!

Jeanne enjoying tapas y Sangria!
Did Summer assist in the workshop?

This is us on the Port of Barcelona. I'm not pissed, I'm not used to the sun (Germany) so I am squinting a little bit.  
Carrer del L' Hospital
Fruit and meat market just off of Las Ramblas.

Workshop in Reus, Spain

Well, I have four days of exciting news to try to fit into one (short) blog entry. I haven’t had time to write because I’ve been busy (non-stop) with workshops in Reus, Espana, or really Catalonia (aka Spain). If you’ve never been to Spain, I can tell you it’s my personal favorite place in Europe (yes, I like it better than Italy). The people are unbelievably friendly, the cities are gorgeous and cultural abounds (not to mention the food, wine and prices here). We left Germany early Saturday morning and drove to Avignon, France, a beautiful old city. We stayed the night there and got up early Sunday morning and drove into Reus, Catalonia (Spain). The Catalonians are wonderful people and are very protective of their culture. They speak both Espanol and Catalan here, however, they prefer Catalan. Reus is south of Barcelona. It takes about an hour to drive to Barcelona from Reus. Reus is a beautiful small Mediterranean city, full of culture. We came here because I was invited to do a three day workshop in Collodion at the Center for Photography, Reus (Mas Inglesias). The workshop went very well and kept me very busy! There were six people that attended. All of them very talented in their own ways (as artists), it was very rewarding and enriching for me. I had a wonderful time. Summer spent two days with me and Jeanne came over to the studio a couple of times too. Tonight, they had a journalist and a photographer there to do a story on the event – they took photos of me and asked questions (they also looked at my work and watch my DVD). Afterward, the city of Reus presented me with gifts and made me an honorary member of the Photography Society of Reus (a very high honor). They also awarded me the Gaudi Medal of Honor. I was beside myself. Finally, they gave me the last set of editioned Gaudi works (photographs and text) the center had. I couldn’t believe it!! Jean, Summer and Lucky was there to see it all! Tomorrow, we are on our way into Barcelona to do one more workshop. Friday we will see the city and Saturday we will head back to Germany.