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IN A WORLD where you and I can Instagram our dinner and make it look like a retro masterpiece, it would be tempting to conclude that there was little left in the photographer’s craft.
Dublin-dwelling Alex Sapienza, a cameraman and photographer, has decided to reintroduce the artistry to taking a photographic portrait by embracing the past. Sapienza employs the wet-plate collodion method, which dates back to 1851 and is one of the first photographic techniques ever used. As it involves the use of highly dangerous chemicals such as cyanide, silver nitrate, cadmium bromide and acidic compounds, it’s safe to say it isn’t for mass market use.
Sapienza told TheJournal.ie that he decided to step back in time because he was “getting tired of the same digital images that you get to see every day, the same set-ups and exactly the same post-processing done with Photoshop”. He says:
For me it’s very hard to get excited by digital images, they are stores on hard drives and phones and most of the time they never see the light of day. The images produced by this technique are one-of-a-kind images which cannot be duplicated. It’s one beautiful images, usually 10 x 12 inches in size on glass or aluminium and it’s a real object rather than a file stored somewhere on the internet.
The sourcing of the apparatus for Sapienza’s studio was, understandably, a bit of a challenge. The lens is a brass barrel lens made in Paris around 1870 and he sourced that in an antique shop in New York. The camera itself comes from London and dates from the early 1900s. Both were necessary to achieve what Sapienza describes as “timeless images”.
This short vid shows how Sapienza shoots his portraits (we like the juxtaposition of Breaking Bad-style chemical mixing with Wild West-style portraits):
via TrueFilmsTV/Youtube
Sapienza’s Analogue Studio is on South William Street, Dublin – he says that the entire process from taking your portrait to getting the finished product into your hand takes just 30 minutes. He’ll be exhibiting some of his glass and aluminium photos and cameras at the VintageIreland event in Dublin’s Burlington Hotel today from 11am.
You can also see his portraits on his Facebook page. Here’s a selection of some of them (you might recognise some of the faces…) What do you think?
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Photography is fine but subjects leave a lot to be desired. Could he not have got a group with less implants and Botox?
My first thought exactly
I think you might have missed the point.
I think you may have missed the point.
Implants? Where?
Botox and implants? Seriously? I know Alex and I know most of the subjects. And I can guarantee you that you are way wrong on that. Maybe have a look at the images again.
That’s quite a bizzare take on art photography. Or maybe there’s one of Jordan in there that I missed.
I agree, especially the ones with too much make up, look way too posed and like boring advertising shots.I would have taken pics of some interesting faces!
This gentleman is excellent at this type of photography, met him
At art source last year, he explained the process to me and yes it’s dangerous but like every job that has danger as long as you know what your doing and do it right, the risk is less… I am sure he will be in RDS again in November at ‘art source’ if anyone wants free tickets ( €10 value) let me know .
I’d like some tickets pls Dave for me and my good wife if that’s ok.. Many thanks.
Me too Dave, if poss, please
No probs guys, will have about 150… Here is my email address for the art correspondence
Send me a mail and let me know whether you want them sent, or pick up at the gallery or even picked up on the day , the dates this year are the 8th to the 10th of November, i assure you it flies in from now until then.. I will keep an account in my trusty little black book of those who want tickets.
Oh and feel free to subscribe to our mailing list, dont worry , we are a friendly gallery, though it is a business we truly love browsers and if your lucky will will give you real coffee.
Worked with him years ago on a doc. Of many really good cameramen I encountered, he was exceptional-really knows how to get the best light into the frame. No surprise to see him working like this, best of luck to him.
Great response to the tickets, have all your contact details in me ‘ little black book’ when i get them, you will get them within three days….
Most of the women look so unnatural. I think it detracts hugely from the photos.
One photographer to another I salute you sir. In an age where anyone with a phone thinks they can make pictures I think Alex’s work shows the art and craftsmanship that really resides with professional photographers. I strive every day to put the art back into photography and his work embodies that which I strive to achieve. Well done, congratulations and every success to you Alex.
Everyone with a phone can make pictures. Isnt it all about capturing the moment no matter what way its taken or done? Surely a photographer appreciates all photography?
Anyone GOOD with a phone can and should take pictures. If amateurs with phones threaten your artistry…be a better artist!
You know there’s an app for that yeah? #savetime :-)
Class, but yes, very very dangerous.
It’s good, but I’m afraid not cool.. Cool jumped out the window at the sight of Brendan Courtney!
I agree, it’s interesting for 30seconds but cool it is most definitely not!!
Everyone looks so miserable. Why would you want to go all that effort to photograph unhappy folk?
I dunno. As am amateur enthusiast I find this stuff depressingly boring and dark. Much like photos with too much HDR processing. It’s up there with”let’s bring back vinyl” in my book.
ffs
?
I never said it was Garvan. It is one of those things you either love or hate. That’s the beauty of photography. So many different styles and interpretations. I’m sue there are people who love it. I personally don’t.
No……..
Hoped to get this done in gettysburg. Sadly it cost a small fortune. Opted for a little sepia tinting instead. The camera and lenses looked like a small observatory. Chemical alchemy. Shame he didnt use ordinary folk
Class. Nothing better than old skool photography. I’m going to make an appointment for engagement shoot
Ghosts in chemical soup – very beaufiful. Nice one Alex!
Great technique, but I agree that he wasted his time and effort on subjects that don’t have anything that even resembles character. A series of facile faces pulled from a trendy bar.
How very dismissive, the photographer is a friend of mine, I know how much effort and
thought he has put into this but you think he has “wasted his time” – well, the subjects do include a couple of TV presenters, also artists, musicians, a postman, a barman, a chef, etc etc.
So who is being “facile” here? The guy who has – on his own – put a year into reviving a lost art or those who have a quick scan, decide that there is “no character” in the faces (talk about a superficial judgement) and blandly announce that the artist has “wasted his time”?:
It would be interesting to try recreate this style in photoshop. Fantastic looking photography but some of the models detract in theor modern clothing.
nice photos. and the artist is a bit of alright too!! yum.
Good grief let us keep this news from the hipsters.
Proud of my cuz!
Photographic blood flows inside my two cousins, Francesco and Alex Sapienza. I hope to become the 3rd photo-cuz! :)
”For me it’s very hard to get excited by digital images, they are stores on hard drives and phones and most of the time they never see the light of day. ”
If he has never seen these photos – how can he have an opinion on them . Its all subjective – and just beacuse a process is 100- 150 years old does not make it any better . Its waht in the photographers head and his/her ability to transfer that feeling /idea to the camera – and then the print .
Someday – people will be sayng about their landscapes of mars taken with as yet unknown device – they just dont have the feel of digital photos .
BTW – there is a doc on Norman Parkinson tonight about 8pm on bbc 2 or 4 .
Agree 100% Jim.
Great photography, a shame about the z-listers in them, would work so well with faces that could tell a story!
Vanity …
Art is subjective but some of you commentards really need to try to separate your subjective opinions on whether the sitters are pretty, ugly, famous, anonymous, over-dressed, under-dressed, made-up or natural from your opinions of the art of wet plate photography; what exactly has their profession got to do with it, or their lifestyle, or where they like drink their over-priced lattes? You just show the readers of the journal how shallow and superficial you are.
Try commenting on the image instead, it might give your opinion a little more validity.
This guy is just riding the coat tails of Ian Ruhter. Ian was recently featured on Chase Jarvis Live. Highly suggest you watch the 3 hour podcast for all the behind the scenes footage of the wet plate process. What strikes me as odd is that this artist thinks that digital images are bad but uses the digital domain to spread his art. What hypocrisy!!! This artist wouldn’t get the instant worldwide attention if it weren’t for the digital domain!!!! And the rest of you are salivating over digital copies you see on the web. What’s the difference? Lastly if democratizing photography threatens so called pro photogs, then I suggest this piece of advice to those pros…make better images!!!
No
Well done Alex, the video is amazing! Really captures what its all about. Very cool and original work and I’m sure it will be a huge success!!
I just got mine framed from my sister for my 30th birthday and I will treasure it forever. Really thoughtful gift and amazing to receive.
Thanks Alex and best of luck,
Carol :)
Who’s that guy in the 3rd image I’ve seen him presenting on Rte or something before. Also I saw him in Tesco one time :P
Brendan Courtney
Nicely done Alex!
Many photographers are bitches amd begrudgers and hatrrs will always be haters. Do what you do Alex. You do it well. I was photographically educated shooting 5×4 sheet film but I appreciate all aspects of the craft. Digital has its place and it needs to be embraced. At the end of the day it’s all about the photographers eye and his lighting skills.
Great photos but I think the female subjects, with the exception of one or two, would have looked much better without makeup. The bad makeup detracts from the natural beauty of the photographs.
That’s very striking looking. I note the Journal won’t show the nude picture doh. Afraid of a little old pair of breasts eh…
Guess which picture is my one. : )
I’d like a picture of what you had for dinner
No.
Cool effect, I’ve been using the Wet Plate look for the last few years. You can get a cool plug in for Photoshop here
http://www.alienskin.com/exposure/
Looks cool, what app is that?
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