Born out of necessity historically and currently, the homesteader seeks to create sustainable autonomy out of the surrounding environment. A humble connection to the earth and a contentment with simple living are a common theme for modern homesteaders. As with historical homesteaders our contemporaries are cutting new paths to a sustainable future with a lifestyle that will lower our impact on the planet.
For me the wet plate collodion photo process is the perfect medium to explore and document this project because it is timelessly rooted in a collective era and is widely recognized as historical. It forces the viewer to see modern homesteaders in the same light as our romanticized ancestors.
Tintypes are more than just a photograph they are a dynamic recording of the moment it was made, with the fingerprints of the maker and environmental impact on the chemical alchemy. Mastering a craft is an important part of my artistic practice and Wet Plate Collodion Photography gives me the authenticity and learning curve I need to create.