Hi, my name is Alex Pomnikow, I’m a photogrpahic artist based here in Melbourne. 

 

I work with both digital and analogue formats, however my current muse is the Wet Plate Collodion Process. Originally from Ottawa, Canada, I use photography to document and tell stories of the people places around me. I focus on communities and people that make them, and try to tell their stories. The Wet Plate Collodion Process  is one of the earliest forms of photography, developed 1851 it quickly exploded in popularity and saw widespread use for over 40 years. 

 

Made on glass (known as ambrotypes) or with aluminum plate (known as tintype), the process  involves pouring a solution of Salted Collodion on to it, immersing it into a bath of silver nitrate to create a layer of light sensitive silver halides. While the plate is still wet, it is then inserted into the camera, a picture is taken, then developed and fixed, all within a 10 minute period, before the plate dried out. 

 

The final image is one of a kind and cannot be edited or altered in any way. All the imperfections and errors made are visible for the world to see. It’s a very hands on process, leaving you with a tangible memory of an ever changing world.