WETPLATE WORKSHOP
2 DAYS IN PORTUGAL
6. - 7. SEPTEMBER 2025
WITH HENRIK BRAHE
Enter the world of analogue photography and craftsmanship when photographer
Henrik Brahe opens the doors to his studio in Portugal for a unique 2-day workshop in
the wetplate technique, where you can get hands-on experience with the entire process.
You will gain insight, knowledge and practice that will enable you to experiment further
with the wetplate/ambrotype technique yourself.
The wetplate, or collodion process, is one of the oldest photographic techniques,
creating images with a depth, texture and character that modern methods can rarely match. Henrik Brahe has extensive experience with the technique.
Read more here.
At this workshop we will work through:
• Practical chemical preparation, including recipes for mixing ratios
• Coating of glass or metal plates for exposure
• Development in the darkroom
• Introduction to 150-year-old wooden photographic cameras, and how they are
used in practice
• Supervision from photographer Henrik Brahe
Look forward to two intense and creative days filled with experiments, learning and,
not least, the magic that occurs when a wetplate image takes shape before your eyes.
PROGRAMME
Saturday 6. September 2025
10.00 AM:
Introduction by Photographer Henrik Brahe.
The historical background for the wetplate/ambrotypi process.
Practical presentation of the varius techniques related and connected to wetplate.
Handout with all the pratical information and chemical recipies.
Participants motivation and background for attending.
12.30 AM:
Lunch at Quinta De Cadimas. Focus on local products and homemade oliveoil.
13.30 AM:
Practical introduction to the wetplate wooden camera, the lightning and exposure. The participants will work together 1 by 1, in two groups, in order to help and support each other. The focus will be the portrait in the studio.
15.30 AM:
Coffee and cake and tasting of local portwine.
16.00 AM:
Conducting the first wetplate portraits in 2 groups, supervised by Henrik Brahe.
17.00 AM:
Finished the days workshop.
Changes to the program are reserved.
PROGRAMME
Sunday 7. September 2025
10.00 AM:
The participants will work in 2 groups again. Continuation from the day before with the wetplate portraits in the studio.
12.30 AM:
Lunch at Quinta De Cadimas.
13.30 AM:
The last wetplate portraits.
Post processing of the glasplates, drying and painting. Recording and digital scan.
15.30 AM:
Coffee and cake and tasting of local wine.
16.00 AM:
Summerize the workshop. Questions and answers.
17.00 AM:
Workshop ends.
Changes to the program are reserved.
