Another 1870s Photograph

['Monterrey' Jack Brass]

J. D. - I agree with your thoughts on cameras back then vs cameras today, those old timers are classy no doubt about that. Just the way brass barrel lenses look and feel, they're just as much art as the photos they made. By the bye, please give your model my regards. Easy on the eyes is an understatement...!

W. W. - I appreciate your understanding my wetplate photography activities are just an interest I have had for years and am glad to finally pursue. Not just that, getting out to California only happens infrequently and now that I'm out of the army reserve there is no reason to go to Ft Hunter-Ligget that way any more. Would like to head out there again but that's a ways off.

Both - have a good one and I'll post images that actually are presentable when they're made. Still working on the portable dark box and awaiting the arrival of the silver bath box. Won't be shooting for at least a couple/three weeks.

Brass

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Well, I won't be setting up a wet-plate "studio" anytime soon, but this post has certainly been interesting as well as educational.  Mr. Brass and Mr. Yellowhammer - (and all others, too) thanks for all the information.

As to photography, I'll stick to what I have.  I hope to be sending off my Canon T-90 to repair soon, so I'll be back to real photos 'stead of just snapshots with the digital "snapper."

[wepspec]

BTW--one argument for the first photo being a tintype is that I'm almost sure it's reversed, and the cowboy is holding the prop gun (he ain't got a gunbelt or holster that I can see) is actually right-handed.


I am realativley new to this forum and have enjoyed all the posts.

If you look carefully at the first images you will notice that the shirts layover "right to left".  This is the fashion that mens shirts have been laid out for many years and still are.  This would lead me believe the images are not reversed.  Maybe the photographer was afraid of the pistols being pointed in his direction???

[Cactus Rope]

I don't know about you but all my shirts lay over from left to right, therefore I would say that this plate is reversed.