portrait of a puppet by Deborah Parkin
Deborah Parkin

portrait of a puppet by

I have been wanting to do a wet plate portrait, in fact I am desperate too. However, the exposure time is just too long, so I have had to make do with a portrait of a puppet.

You can see more about wet plate collodion here

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Tags

wet plate, collodion, large format, deborah parkin

Comments

  • SKeates-Gazey
    SKeates-Gazeyabout 1 year ago

    This is stunning, Deborah. I love the depth of field, especially. The puppet has such character, and the fact that he’s lying on the ground gives the piece an uneasy feeling for me – as a puppet we feel he should be upright and animated, not motionless on the ground. Brilliant work. Sophie.

  • thank you so much Sophie for your really thoughtful comment. It is a strange little puppet this one, it looks as awkward hanging on it’s strings as being on the ground … i find him rather captivating though :) So pleased you like this, it means a lot :)

    – Deborah Parkin

  • Durham White
    Durham Whiteabout 1 year ago

    love how deep this is… great composition, lighting & tones!! really nice work Deborah!!

  • thanks so much Durham, so pleased you like it :)

    – Deborah Parkin

  • Jacqueline Ison
    Jacqueline Isonabout 1 year ago

    This is great Deborah! What and interesing process. Thank you for sharing the video. Please do be careful!

  • Thanks so much for taking the time not just to comment but also look at the process, it is fascinating isn’t it? And yes, I will be careful, a box of rubber gloves at the ready :)

    – Deborah Parkin

  • Michael Marten
    Michael Martenabout 1 year ago

    Such a beautiful image, sad and mournful, but with such depth that it makes me want to pick the puppet up and cuddle him!

  • hi Michael, thanks so much for your lovely comments, so pleased you like it .. I am loving this process :)

    – Deborah Parkin

  • Mitch Labuda
    Mitch Labudaabout 1 year ago

    Okay. This has to stop. Each time you post another magnificent image, like this, I want to make the wet plates, also, but my creditors insist, I work first and then play.

  • you make me feel guilty Mitch ;) If you lived nearer the door would always be open for you to play.

    – Deborah Parkin

  • Mel Brackstone.com
    Mel Brackstone...about 1 year ago

    I love this little puppet. Beautiful shot, Deb.

  • Thanks so much Mel, always lovely to hear from you and yes, I love this puppet too, very photogenic :)

    – Deborah Parkin

  • Stuart Chapman
    Stuart Chapmanabout 1 year ago

    It really looks like years in the public spotlight have finally taken its toll on pinocchio. Thrust into the limelight from such an early age, confused as to his own identity for too long the combination has taken its toll.

    The details this pulls out is incredible Deb and the light flickers and fades like on old B/W TV, this has a very vintage feel to it.

  • did I ever tell you Mr Chapman that you are nuts lol!! Thanks so much, great to read your essays, sorry comments :)
    Any photographic plans for the weekend?

    – Deborah Parkin

  • Steve Wilbur
    Steve Wilburabout 1 year ago

    “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” How sad. “For now we see through a glass, darkly…”
    Truly a lovely portrait Deborah…one of my all-time favourite photos.

  • Wow! Thanks Steve, that is praise indeed .. thank you. Who was the quote again?.. have heard it before but just can’t remember.

    – Deborah Parkin

  • Kelly Bird
    Kelly Birdabout 1 year ago

    This brilliant, i love the tones, i love the subject – just brilliant!

  • Cheers Kel, I could imagine him in one of yours actually .. hope all is well x

    – Deborah Parkin

  • Graham Dean
    Graham Deanabout 1 year ago

    Movies with dolls that come alive, give me chills, stills with puppets that have life, though their eyes are black holes are even more of a roller coaster ride I now know : ) I’m always thrown for loop with your art Deb, and I always look forward to that.

  • My nan says that I am always attracted to ugly things (don’t tell Geoff lol) and she is right .. they intrigue me .. all the ornaments in my house are slightly dark/sad/macabre and yet they don’t make me sad they fascinate me. Thanks as always for your great comment .. have a great weekend.

    – Deborah Parkin