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Darkroom Wagon

by Fotokultur

Zürich and Wald

From 1850 till 1900 photographers needed a darkroom wagon on location to prepare and develop their glas plates. For my engagements in living museums, workshops and as artist I want to build a one.

CHF 11’709

117% of CHF 10’000

117 %
This is how it works

The «all or nothing» principle applies: The project only receives the funds if the funding target is reached or exceeded.

43 backers

Successfully concluded on 11/10/2017

A DARKROOM ON WHEELS DRIVEN BY A PASSION FOR PHOTOGRAPHY

With your help, I going to rebuild a darkroom wagon inspired by photography from the 1860s.

For almost 10 years, I have been working as a photographer, author and lecturer of photography. I have also developed a passion for the creative possibilities of historical photography. I have written a book about my favourite technique - the collodion wet plate process and have exhibited photos at museums in Switzerland and Germany using this technique. This historical process which was in use from 1850 to 1900, is a very complex instant-image process in which all steps have to be completed while the plate is still wet. This means the darkroom must always be brought to the location.

  • The closed wagon, despite its size, it’s only 60 kg heavy. The large wheels will allow easy access to stony paths. The fillings of the frames are made of coloured wax cloth using natural bees wax and soot pigment.
    The closed wagon, despite its size, it’s only 60 kg heavy. The large wheels will allow easy access to stony paths. The fillings of the frames are made of coloured wax cloth using natural bees wax and soot pigment.
  • The footboard opens downwards. The drawers will now be accessible. The ergonomically curved handrails were made of ash wood can be removed so one can work comfortably in the darkroom wagon.
    The footboard opens downwards. The drawers will now be accessible. The ergonomically curved handrails were made of ash wood can be removed so one can work comfortably in the darkroom wagon.
  • The lid is opened and fixed. The headroom will be with almost two meters very comfortable. The blackout cloth is stored in the front compartment. It’s of made of three-layered percale fabric (honey yellow, red and black).
    The lid is opened and fixed. The headroom will be with almost two meters very comfortable. The blackout cloth is stored in the front compartment. It’s of made of three-layered percale fabric (honey yellow, red and black).
  • The blackout cloth is now attached to the wagon. The darkroom is in max. 15 minutes ready for use. Pegs and strings allow the wagon to be set up even in strong wind.
    The blackout cloth is now attached to the wagon. The darkroom is in max. 15 minutes ready for use. Pegs and strings allow the wagon to be set up even in strong wind.
  • The darkroom is spacious inside and plates up to 30x40 cm can be processed well. Modern work regulations are met, a large eye protection screen and a ventilation and exhaust system are planned.
    The darkroom is spacious inside and plates up to 30x40 cm can be processed well. Modern work regulations are met, a large eye protection screen and a ventilation and exhaust system are planned.
  • The front tray has several functions: the camera and the blackout cloth will be stored. Here also hides the battery for the exhaust system. The Tray is useful as a working surface for fixing and washing baths.
    The front tray has several functions: the camera and the blackout cloth will be stored. Here also hides the battery for the exhaust system. The Tray is useful as a working surface for fixing and washing baths.
  • The silver tank is the heart of the darkroom. Different sizes may be used. In the curvy front part are drawers for equipment and most importantly the chemical supplies.
    The silver tank is the heart of the darkroom. Different sizes may be used. In the curvy front part are drawers for equipment and most importantly the chemical supplies.
  • The darkroom has a window with red glass. The amount of light is regulated by a slider from the darkroom. If necessary, an external screen is attached to prevent direct exposure to the sun.
    The darkroom has a window with red glass. The amount of light is regulated by a slider from the darkroom. If necessary, an external screen is attached to prevent direct exposure to the sun.
  • The 120cm large, hand-forged and riveted steel wheels can be dismantled as well as the supports. The darkroom wagon can be transported in a normal estate car.
    The 120cm large, hand-forged and riveted steel wheels can be dismantled as well as the supports. The darkroom wagon can be transported in a normal estate car.
  • The lid is opened and supported. The headroom will be with almost two meters very spacious.
    The lid is opened and supported. The headroom will be with almost two meters very spacious.
  • The ergonomically curved handrails made of bent ash wood can be removed so you can work comfortably in the darkroom car.
    The ergonomically curved handrails made of bent ash wood can be removed so you can work comfortably in the darkroom car.
  • he front door has several functions: the camera and the blackout cloth can be stored safely. Here the battery hides for the exhaust system. The tray is useful as a working surface for fixing and washing baths.
    he front door has several functions: the camera and the blackout cloth can be stored safely. Here the battery hides for the exhaust system. The tray is useful as a working surface for fixing and washing baths.
  • Wie setzen sich die Kosten für dieses Projekt zusammen.
    Wie setzen sich die Kosten für dieses Projekt zusammen.

MY PROJECT HAS A LIVING HISTORY

Hardly any original darkroom wagons have survived and this historical photographic progress is becoming obsolete. The original darkroom wagons were too big and bulky. Many were destroyed by the corrosive processing chemicals. Today however, we have some illustrations which serve as an inspiration for me to design and build such a wagon. The new wagon has to meet modern requirements for environmental and worker safety and the safe usage of chemicals. Likewise, an infrared camera will be installed for museums and exhibitions, ensuring visitors can also follow on the screen what is happening in the darkroom.

Whenever possible, the wagon should be built as it would have been built 150 years ago. Employing local sources, the wagon will be manufactured within 3 km of my studio. From the apprentice to the senior boss, our local blacksmiths (located in the middle of my village) is looking forward to starting the work. The wood is provided by my studio neighbor who runs a woodworking workshop which is a protected facility within the Wabe Foundation in Wald. The wax cloth fabric will be weaved by a former weaving mill also located in my village. The oil paint I will make myself, and since I studied as cabinet-maker 30 years ago, I’m glad that the wood chips will fly again…

In addition to my own artistic activities and workshops, the wagon will be used in various open-air museums and exhibitions. It can be easily packed into an estate car as the wheels can be dismantled and travel on the roof.

  • A schematic drawing of an American darkroom wagon and its interiors, the horse drawn wagon is similar to those the Amish People still use today.
    A schematic drawing of an American darkroom wagon and its interiors, the horse drawn wagon is similar to those the Amish People still use today.
  • A sketch of a darkroom wagon build by French & Saunders 1870
    A sketch of a darkroom wagon build by French & Saunders 1870
  • A woodcut from my collection, made in 1873 depicting a dagerreotype photographer
    A woodcut from my collection, made in 1873 depicting a dagerreotype photographer
  • The Prussian Photography Corps during the 1870/71 war with France
    The Prussian Photography Corps during the 1870/71 war with France
  • Meist waren die Dunkelkammerwagen umgebaute Lieferwagen, wie sie auch Bäcker und Metzger benutzen. Der Bedarf an Bildern wuchs. Die Welt wollte wissen, wer man ist.
    Meist waren die Dunkelkammerwagen umgebaute Lieferwagen, wie sie auch Bäcker und Metzger benutzen. Der Bedarf an Bildern wuchs. Die Welt wollte wissen, wer man ist.
  • The inspiration for my design came with this picture. A darkroom wagon on a beach about 1860 ©National Museum of Scotland
    The inspiration for my design came with this picture. A darkroom wagon on a beach about 1860 ©National Museum of Scotland
  • Itinerant Photographers and Ice parlors waiting for clients on an English beach ca. 1880
    Itinerant Photographers and Ice parlors waiting for clients on an English beach ca. 1880
  • The Viennese Photographers Association upfront their club house with darkroom wagons 1873
    The Viennese Photographers Association upfront their club house with darkroom wagons 1873
  • Gustav Haertwig on his double velocipede in 1874
    Gustav Haertwig on his double velocipede in 1874
  • Clemens Seeber with his tricylce 1888
    Clemens Seeber with his tricylce 1888
  • The Zameki Brothers upfront the Sphinx with their darkroom wagon.
    The Zameki Brothers upfront the Sphinx with their darkroom wagon.
  • F.J. Haynes build himself a railway car as studio, and travelled from 1883 to 1905 on the Northern Pacific Railroad. With his pictures, he made the Yellowstone National Park popular.
    F.J. Haynes build himself a railway car as studio, and travelled from 1883 to 1905 on the Northern Pacific Railroad. With his pictures, he made the Yellowstone National Park popular.

A PASSION FOR PHOTOGRAPHY

This project is also about the joy of photography and the construction of the darkroom is almost the campfire around which everything revolves. This projects leads itself to meeting many requirements:

• Pursuing my passion for photography • Using the wagon as a Unique Selling Propose for a unique photography process which attracts people • Sourcing as much as possible locally • Providing historical authenticity • Meeting modern safety and working standards

Please take a look at the accompanying Rewards which outlines how you can support this compelling project. With your support, I can start building the darkroom wagon and better convey my passion for this unique, historical photography in museums and workshops, as well as developing myself as an artist.

Thank you very much!

Yours, Peter Michels

  • A ferrotype portrait made by one one student in one of my beginners workshops
    A ferrotype portrait made by one one student in one of my beginners workshops
  • An ambrotype on clear glass of Artist Dieter Meier «Yello» made during the Manifesta Biennial 2016.
    An ambrotype on clear glass of Artist Dieter Meier «Yello» made during the Manifesta Biennial 2016.
  • Workshop lie
    Workshop lie
  • a 500mm ƒ5.6 lens aprrox. 10 kg...
    a 500mm ƒ5.6 lens aprrox. 10 kg...
  • Counting seconds while exposing
    Counting seconds while exposing
  • Removing the plate from the holder under redlight
    Removing the plate from the holder under redlight
  • Developing a plate
    Developing a plate
  • Stopping the development process with water
    Stopping the development process with water
  • Each plate must be varnished
    Each plate must be varnished
  • Then dried
    Then dried
  • Workshop life
    Workshop life
  • Workshop life
    Workshop life
  • A proud owner...
    A proud owner...
  • BELOHNUNG: Das Kollodium Handbuch
    BELOHNUNG: Das Kollodium Handbuch

Further information: