Hard to believe that it was 5 years ago that this ragtag group of people got together for a day wet plate fun! This was also the day I met @coreyteramura and @combustionsolar .

#wetplatecollodionphotography #wetplatedarlings #collodionhumide #collodionprocess #collodionselfie #vwcombi @wetplatedarlings

I had such a great time making these #tintype #portraits earlier this week. Thanks so much to @manncamerachris and family for coming in for a session, it was a pleasure working with you all!

#yyjtintype #yyjtintypephotographer #yyjtintypestudio #wetplatecollodion #wetplate @wetplatedarlings #tintypeportrait #tintypephotography #kenminerphoto #bostickandsullivan #bostickandsullivandgx #speedotronblackline #burkeandjames8x10 #kodakcommercialektar

Facebook reminded me that my first #bostickandsullivan #wetplate kit arrived 11 years ago! Big thanks to the crew at B&S for all the help along the way and for supplying quality products that work consistently for me. It’s been an interesting journey with lots of ups and downs bringing unique experiences and challenges, as well as an opportunity to meet new people along the way!

#wetplatecollodionphotography #tintype #ambrotype #yyjphotographer #yyjtintype #yyjtintypephotographer @bostickandsullivan

Thanks to @aleosmart for sitting in front of my camera today!

Adrien is an @xchangesartists member and an amazing artist. I always enjoy conversations with him about art, life… and… well what else is there? #artislife 

Anyway, be sure to check out his solo show @gallerymerrick opening this weekend. 

And remember, I’ll be having a ‘pop up’ tintype event at my studio for the Xchanges Members Show & Open Studios, December 1-3. Come by for a cute little 4x5 tintype and see the show.

#tintype #yyjtintype #yyjtintypephotographer #yyjarts #wetplate #collodion #4x5tintype #calumet4x5

What!?!? He’s doing a POP UP??

That’s right, I’m doing a pop up. Mainly because it’s happening in my own studio during @xchangesartists gallery and studios annual Members Show titled ‘XPRESSIONS’.

My pop up is running during the opening weekend of the show, December 1-3. I have plenty of spots available to get a 4x5 tintype made, and I will even have time if you just want to come in and say hello and check out some of my work on the walls.

Link to the booking page is in my profile.

#yyjtintype #yyjtintypephotographer #tintype #tintypeportrait #yyjarts #yyjphotographer #victoriasrtscouncil @xchangesartists @victoria_buzz @victoriahype @victoriacameraclub #wetplatecollodionphotography #collodion #kenminerphoto #vancouverislandtintype #collodionartist #victoriabuzz @victoria_buzz @victoriaartscouncil

To the veterans past and present, and to those currently serving, Thank You for your service.

#wetplatecollodionphotography #tintypephotography #canadianmilitary #canadianarmedforces

Facebook reminded me that I made my first tintype 11 years ago under the expert guidance of @jodyake and @quinton.gordon 

It’s been an interesting journey!

#wetplatecollodionphotography #tintype #collodion #yyjtintype #myfirstplate

Just a friendly reminder that prints of the iconic ‘Big Lonely Doug’ are still available in sizes from 8x10 through 30x40. If you are interested in purchasing a print, please DM me and we can discuss details.

If you wish to see the print in person, there is a 20x24 hanging out @thenestcafevictoria 

Thanks!

#wetplate #ambrotype ##collodion #glassplatephotography #biglonelydoug #ancientforestalliance #yyjtintype #yyjtintypephotographer #wildrenfrew #vancouverisland #fairycreek #bctourism @davidebybc @ian_ruhter #ianruhterphotochallenge

Luna, 2023.

I don’t have any tattoos, but if I was to get one, I’d want it done by @lunalucerotattoo , her art is incredible.

#wetplate #wetplatecollodionphotography #yyjtintype #yyjtintypephotographer #yyjtintypestudio #tattooartist #tattooartistmagazine #tintypetattoo #tintypeportrait #kenminerphoto #collodion #yyjtattoo #adecadeofwetplate

I first met Mary Alice a decade ago when she commissioned me to photograph a very large painting for her. We talked about a lot things, one being her farm in Sooke. Being a transplanted farm kid and a new wet plate photographer, I asked if I could visit her farm and maybe make a few portraits. She agreed and soon I was on the farm with my portable darkroom.

The first portrait of Mary Alice with the chicken, along with other plates from that day, led to the @of_land_and_sea project. The second portrait was made for the book. Mary Alice celebrated her 80th birthday this past weekend and wanted to recreate the tractor plate from 10 years ago. And the last plate is of Mary Alice’s hands saving seeds.

At her birthday party she was asked what life advice she would give, she simply said, “follow your passion.” Thanks for all you have given over the years @maryaliceleejohnson 

#wetplatecollodion #tintype #followyourpassion

I had 2 of the coolest people come to my studio for a tintype session yesterday!

#yyjtintype #yyjtintypephotographer #yyjtintypestudio #kenminerphoto #wetplatecollodionphotography #wetplatestudio #wetplate #tintype #tintypephotography #8x10 #burkeandjames8x10 #collofion #tintypeportrait #ishootwetplate #commercialektar12in #bostickandsullivan #dgxcollodion #speedotronblackline @lunalucerotattoo @mdfort

@xchangesartists gallery and studios is having their annual member’s show and open studios the first weekend of December. I’m currently working on a series of small pieces to have on hand for the open house. 

This is one of my small images that will be available.

This image is of a stream ecosystem that is under threat of clear cut logging in an area of old growth forests on Vancouver Island. 

Watch for more details about the member’s show as we get closer to the event.

#mamiyarb67 #ilfordhp5 #epsonscanner #epsonprinter #blackandwhite #endangeredecosystem #fairycreek #secretgrove #oldgrowthforest #vancouverisland

My little studio @xchangesartists Gallery & Studios has been reset after several weeks of working on location and is ready to welcome new people, new ideas, and new collaborations be they in tintype, film, or digital. I’m excited to see what new creative opportunities will come up!

#yyjtintype #yyjtintypephotographer #yyjtintypestudio #yyjphotographer #portraitphotography #filmphotography #wetplate #tintype #ambrotype

Plate varnishing day! @bostickandsullivan #sandaracvarnish ftw 🙌 

#wetplate #wetplatecollodionphotography #tintype #ambrotype #handmadephotography #yyjtintype #yyjtintypephotographer #yyjtintypestudio #yyjtintypeworkshop #kenminerphoto

Stories live in the hands. Hands that are rough and worn from decades of working on the land, but gentle and kind, full of knowledge and care. These are the hands of @maryaliceleejohnson , the kindest person I know.

Mary Alice owns and operates @fullcircle_seeds and @almfarm 

I made a portrait of Mary Alice for @of_land_and_sea nearly a decade ago, on Sunday we recreated the portrait from the book and I will post it in a day or two. For now, please enjoy this picture which we also made on Sunday.

#workinghands #seedsavers #legacyportraits #vancouverislandseeds #farmerhands #portraitsofhands #wetplatecollodion #tintype #tintypephotography #collodion #honestportraitshistoricmethods #kenminerphoto #bostickandsullivandgx @wetplatedarlings @bostickandsullivan @youngagrarians @farmfolkcityfolk

The next film and development workshop starts November 7! (limited to 2 people - it’s a small darkroom 🙂 )

DM for info 

#filmphotography #printyourphotos #darkroomworkshop #yyjartists #yyjphotographers #filmsnotdead @xchangesartists @victoriacameraclub @cameratraders @kclvictoria @opusvictoria

Courtney No.2

#wetplatecollodion #wetplate #ambrotype #tintype #yyjtintypephotographer #figurestudyphotography @courtneylhattie @briannashambrook

“The circle has and always will represent our journeys from beginning to end, and all the shifts and connections in between.” - from @soulandselene blog post, ‘Spiritual Meaning of Circles’

#stonecircle #wiccan #pagan #symbolism #blackandwhitephotography #rb67 #mamiyarb67 #ilfordhp5plus 
@courtneylhattie @briannashambrook 

soulandselene.com/post/spiritual-meaning-of-circles

So, this happened today… my cousin, a retired photographer from Edmonton who recently moved here, was looking for a good home for some of his old gear… (I’ve always wanted a Mamiya RZ67, and it came with 2 beautiful lenses), a 4x5 Speed Graphic camera, and 4 studio strobe units (my total studio strobe unit count is now a whopping 25!)

So… I’m pretty sure I’m ready to take on some serious photography work, hit me up when you’re ready!

#mamiyarz67 #mediumformatfilm #speedgraphic #4x5filmphotography #elinchrom #studiolighting #kenminerphoto #yyjphotographer

It wasn’t raining so I got out to the workshop (my driveway). Made 15 or so little cradle panels for some small encaustic or epoxy pieces… Xmas is coming, folks 😉

#artiswork #supportlocalartists

Courtney in the Ferns

While I love doing wet plate images, photographing with film opens a whole different world of possibilities.

#ilfordhp5 #mamiyarb67 #filmsnotdead #nudeinnatureotography #yyjphotographer #kenminerphoto  @courtneylhattie @briannashambrook

Two beautiful 11x14 prints from my ‘Elemental Project’ are all framed up and ready to go to their new home.

Prints of my work are available in sizes from 8x10 to 30x40 to suit your decor. And if you have a particular object or location that has a special meaning for you and you would like to have it photographed in the historic wet plate method, we can make that happen.

Framing by @german_mckenzie
Printing by @artboxprinting 

#art #yyjart #yoga #yogaart #yyjyogastudio #wetplatecollodionphotography #wetplatecollodion #tintype #ambrotype #lotusmeditation #blackandwhite #monochrome #yyjtintype #yyjtintypephotographer #kenminerphoto

My friend @shifting_shadows snapped this photo of me while I was out at the @victoriamotorcycleclub hill climb event with the mighty #pentaxk1000 . I made sure to catch one of him at work as well. (btw, I don’t have lens envy 😂)

#motorcyclephotographer #oldvsnew #filmvsdigital @jason_at_barnesharleydavidson

There’s still time to book into the Intro to Wet Plate, and the Film Develop & Print workshops.

Wet Plate runs October 14 & 15, 9am to 5pm

Film Develop & Print starts October 17 and runs Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 6pm to 10pm for 3 weeks.

DM for more details.

#yyjphotographer #yyjarts #darkroom #film #wetplate #wetplateworkshop @xchangesartists @victoriacameraclub @artboxprinting @kclvictoria @cameratraders

Embracing the Sacred Antler

In the heart of nature, we find symbols that connect us to ancient wisdom and the energies that flow through our universe. Today, I want to share the profound symbolism of the deer antler in Paganism and how it beautifully intertwines with the concepts of the Divine Masculine and Divine Feminine.

The Sacred Antler
The deer has long held a special place in Pagan traditions as a symbol of gentleness, grace, and connection to the natural world. Its antlers, which are shed and regrown each year, represent cycles, renewal, and the ever-changing seasons of life. In Paganism, the antler is seen as a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms, guiding us on our spiritual journey with its ethereal energy.

The Divine Masculine
The deer's antlers are often associated with the Divine Masculine energy. They represent strength, protection, and the active force in the universe. Just as the deer stands tall and proud with its antlers, the Divine Masculine encourages us to embrace our inner strength and protective instincts while honouring the balance of power and compassion.

The Divine Feminine
In the delicate balance of life, the Divine Feminine is represented by nurturing and compassionate qualities. Here, the antler takes on a different perspective. When a woman holds the antler to her chest, it symbolizes the harmonious blend of the Divine Masculine and Divine Feminine within her. It speaks of unity, love, and the realization that embracing both energies brings about wholeness.

As we hold this antler close, we honour the intricate dance of life's energies—sometimes bold and fierce like the stag, and other times gentle and nurturing like a mother's embrace. It reminds us to celebrate the unique balance within ourselves and to find unity in the diverse energies that shape our existence.

May this image serve as a reminder of the profound interconnectedness of all life and inspire us to honour the Divine Masculine and Divine Feminine within ourselves and the world around us.

#PaganWisdom #SacredSymbols #BalanceInNature #DivineFeminine #DivineMasculine #NatureConnection #wetplate #wetplatecollodion #tintype #ambrotype #yyjtintype

Just a few photos from the old #pentaxk1000 totally manual film camera. Like I said before, if you want to challenge yourself, try shooting action sports with a manual camera… no automatic winding, no automatic focus, no zooming, no checking the back of the camera to see if you got the shot… it was a fun experiment!

#filmphotography #motorcycle #dirtbike #trialriding #victoriamotorcycleclub @peter.grant.37t @shifting_shadows #ilfordhp5 #crossgrainphotoscociety

Yesterday I went out to the Victoria Motorcycle Club’s hill climb event and brought the old #pentaxk1000 along. It was fun to try to capture an action sport event with a completely manual camera and a 50mm lens. It’s a great exercise in photography to go old school once in a while, it makes you think about each shot, it fine tunes your timing, and it makes you think if you really want to take the shot. 

If you haven’t shot film with a manual camera in a while, give it a try. Take one roll, one lens 
(preferably not a zoom) and go shoot, I think it will help your photography become more deliberate and thoughtful.

Oh, btw, I have a film and print workshop coming up, DM for details.

#zenofphotography #filmphotography #35mmfilm #motorcycle #hillclimb #manualcamera #k1000 @shifting_shadows @peter.grant.37t

Courtney, 2023

#wetplatecollodionphotography #wetplatedarlings #wetplatecollodion #glassplatenegative #ambrotype #yyjtintypephotographer #yyjtintype @courtneylhattie @briannashambrook

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Ken Miner Photography operates the only full time tintype studio in Victoria, BC, Canada

Ken Miner Photography - tintypes & ambrotypes

Ken Miner Photography

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Ken Miner Photography Victoria BC's only full time tintype studio. Ken has been working in the wet plate process for over 10 years.