Shane Balkowitsch
@balkowitsch
A self-taught photographer taking on the historic wet plate collodion process.
Kyrie Lynn Dunkley "Shining Star Woman", Dakota / Lakota captured in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass for the series “Northern Plains Native Americans: A Modern Wet Plate Perspective”. Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 9 seconds of exposure, 8x10” black glass ambrotype
Rayeisha Loreal King "Eagle Thunder Horse Woman", Pa’baksa Dakota of the Mni Wakan Oyate / Spirit Lake Nation captured in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass for the series “Northern Plains Native Americans: A Modern Wet Plate Perspective”. Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens
Patrick Wayne King "Boy Who Dances Good For The People", Pa’baksa Dakota of the Mni Wakan Oyate / Spirit Lake Nation Dakota / Fort Peck captured in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass for the series “Northern Plains Native Americans: A Modern Wet Plate Perspective”.
"My Grandfather's Staff" with Christopher Pina (Generous Man Who Holds The People In His Heart), Hunkpapha Lakota, captured in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass for the series “Northern Plains Native Americans: A Modern Wet Plate Perspective”. Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens
When my Native brother Chris Pina visits, magic seems to happen. We title this plate “My Grandfather’s Staff”.
Baylee Dahlen "Builds A Good Home Woman", MHA Nation / Anishinaabe / Hunkpapa Lakota, captured once again in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass for the series "Northern Plains Native Americans: A Modern Wet Plate Perspective". Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 7 seconds
Megan Valandra "Red Cedar Woman", Sicangu Lakota / Ihanktowan Dakota, captured once again in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass for the series "Northern Plains Native Americans: A Modern Wet Plate Perspective". Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 6 seconds
Ella Hafner captured once again in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass. Costume and styling by my propmaster Laine Pope, assisted by The Photo Misfits. I cut this arched piece of glass by hand. Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 6 seconds of exposure, 8x10”
"Astral Visitor" with Faith Creswell, captured in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass. Costume and styling by my propmaster Laine Pope, assisted by The Photo Misfits. Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 6 seconds of exposure, 8x10” black glass ambrotype, natural light
Akisa Redsoldier "War Cry", Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, captured for the first time in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass for the series "Northern Plains Native Americans: A Modern Wet Plate Perspective". Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 6 seconds of exposure, 8x10”
"Coat From My Dad" with Kayla Klemetson, captured for the first time in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass. Kayla is turning 40 soon and is on a quest for different life adventures to celebrate. I saw this and proposed a portrait and she took me up on my offer.
"Light Of A Woman" with Kayla Klemetson and Shirley Manifold, captured in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass. Both ladies came in as strangers but after this collaboration they left as friends. Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 8 seconds of exposure, 8x10” black glass
"Field Officer Quarters" at Fort Buford captured in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass. This is the location where Sitting Bull handed over his rifle to Major Brotherton on July 20th, 1881. It was a sad day for the Lakota people. Carl Zeiss Tessar 210mm lens, f11, 7x7
Wichasa Ohitika "Brave Man", Standing Rock Sioux, captured for the first time in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass for the series "Northern Plains Native Americans: A Modern Wet Plate Perspective". Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 8 seconds of exposure, 8x10”
Master painter Jim Strachan from Scotland did some more work on an original oil painting of me. So honored by this.
"Photographer of The Americans" with my friend Aaron Patton, captured for the first time in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass. Aaron is traveling to all 50 states for his portrait series about work, place and identify in America. I feel very fortunate that he visited.
"Third Progeny" with my daughter Alyvia, captured once again in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass. I cut this special arch glass plate by hand. I cannot believe she is 15 years old already. Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 8 seconds of exposure, 8x10”
"Isla In Bloom" with Rachel Coleman, captured in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass. A commissioned pregnancy portrait. She is due in August. Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 8 seconds of exposure, 8x10” black glass ambrotype, natural light.
Jordan Dittus from the musical group "Dead Horse Club", captured in wet plate collodion for the first time. His new album cover. A commissioned portrait. Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 8 seconds of exposure, 8x10” black glass ambrotype, natural light through Northern facing windows.
"Man Ray's Lamp" with Anastasiia Sherstiuk captured in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass with "The Photo Misfits". Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 8 seconds of exposure, 8x10” black glass ambrotype, natural light through Northern facing windows and skylights.
"Wrapping Beauty" with Brea Helm captured in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass with "The Photo Misfits". Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 8 seconds of exposure, 8x10” black glass ambrotype, natural light through Northern facing windows and skylights at Nostalgic Glass
Darrell Charette "Great Eagle", Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, captured in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass for the series "Northern Plains Native Americans: A Modern Wet Plate Perspective". Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 7 seconds of exposure, 8x10” black glass
Virgin Eagle "Afraid To Be Chief", Mandan / Hidatsa / Arikara captured in the historic wet plate collodion process of pure silver on glass for the series "Northern Plains Native Americans: A Modern Wet Plate Perspective". Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 7 seconds of exposure, 8x10”
"Triarchy" with Dave Shrimpton captured in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass. Dave traveled from the United Kingdom to spend the week in my studio. I am forever grateful for his friendship. Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 7 seconds of exposure, 7” black glass round
Amelia Herman "Sacred Eagle Woman", MHA Nation / Spirit Lake Nation / Standing Rock Sioux captured in the historic wet plate collodion process of pure silver on glass for the series "Northern Plains Native Americans: A Modern Wet Plate Perspective". Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 7 seconds
Logan Kiyana "Keeps Going Woman", Meskwaki / Ho-Chunk / MHA Nation captured in the historic wet plate collodion process of pure silver on glass for the series "Northern Plains Native Americans: A Modern Wet Plate Perspective". Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 7 seconds of exposure, 8x10”
"The Spider Queen" with my dear friend Brea Helm and The Photo Misfits with Laine Pope my propmaster. Captured in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass. Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 7 seconds of exposure, 8x10” black glass ambrotype, natural light.
Logan Kiyana "Keeps Going Woman", Meskwaki / Ho-Chunk / MHA Nation captured in the historic wet plate collodion process of pure silver on glass for the series "Northern Plains Native Americans: A Modern Wet Plate Perspective". Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 7 seconds.
"The Spider Queen" with Brea Helm, captured in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass with The Photo Misfits and my Propmaster Laine Pope. Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 7 seconds of exposure, 8x10” black glass ambrotype, natural light through Northern facing windows.
"Femme Fatale" with my friend Sophie Lind, captured for the first time in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on black glass. Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 8 seconds of exposure, 8x10” black glass ambrotype, natural light through Northern facing windows and skylights.