How is the silver deposited onto the plate before it is polished - is that electroplated? If not, how was it done in the 1840’s? Is that historically accurate as they used to use copper plates with a silver surface.
I use both clad plates and electroplated plates. Two different methods for silvering. I mainly use copper plates as is most common traditionally but have experimented with other metal bases. In cladding, the two metals are bonded together under great pressure that causes them to fuse. The only place to get clad plates today is Century Darkroom. They are excellent and have a lot of silver on them so I like to use them when working on something where I may need to iterate and use a plate numerous times. In other cases when I know I'll get the image in one or two tries, I use electroplated plates which I have either plated for me or I plate them myself. Those have about half the silver on them. Both methods and a combination of the two are historically accurate. Copper and brass were used in the 19th century, copper being most common. Initially clad plates were most common because electroplating technology had not yet been perfected. After various advancements in generators were made, electroplating become more common. There was also a period where the preference was for using clad plates that had a final silver layer added by electroplating so the combination of the two.
I took several Dag workshops in my life, one with Mike 5 years ago and he is The Master. The quality of his craftmanship is unbelievable.
It really is like watching a magician at work, absolutely beautiful
Fascinating. Thank you.
Excellent video. Mike is a great guy and a master of the daguerreotype process. Thanks for sharing.
Yea, great guy and a fantastic teacher. A true wealth of knowledge!
Wow 👌 amazing 👏 😍 🙌 ❤️
Thanks so much for posting this interview. I learned a lot, quickly
Love this! That's my hope with videos like these. Thanks man!
Wow
How is the silver deposited onto the plate before it is polished - is that electroplated? If not, how was it done in the 1840’s? Is that historically accurate as they used to use copper plates with a silver surface.
I use both clad plates and electroplated plates. Two different methods for silvering. I mainly use copper plates as is most common traditionally but have experimented with other metal bases. In cladding, the two metals are bonded together under great pressure that causes them to fuse. The only place to get clad plates today is Century Darkroom. They are excellent and have a lot of silver on them so I like to use them when working on something where I may need to iterate and use a plate numerous times. In other cases when I know I'll get the image in one or two tries, I use electroplated plates which I have either plated for me or I plate them myself. Those have about half the silver on them. Both methods and a combination of the two are historically accurate. Copper and brass were used in the 19th century, copper being most common. Initially clad plates were most common because electroplating technology had not yet been perfected. After various advancements in generators were made, electroplating become more common. There was also a period where the preference was for using clad plates that had a final silver layer added by electroplating so the combination of the two.
Thanks for the detailed reply - it is very much appreciated!
Great but not so easy as it looks!
Åke! So true. Not as easy as it looks but so worth the effort! Also, I would like a copy of your daguerreotype book. Can you send me a copy?