Eric Mertens "TheDagLab" (Part 2)

As all of you know I am currently a college student (at time of writing). Last semester I was taking a photography history class. Our professor decided to let us have a first person experience with how some of the old photographic processes were performed. She took us to Eric Mertens's "TheDagLab" where Eric Mertens showed us some of the processes. While there we got to witness the making of some tintypes and some daguerreotypes. Eric Mertens is the photographer who makes these in his own lab. If you would like to see the services he offers, his website is here. I took around 31 photos there and will be splitting them into 2 parts. Another thing I want to mention is that I am in no way affiliated with Eric Mertens and I am also not getting paid or compensated to do this. I thought I'd throw in a small ad up for him here on my blog because I am using the photos I took around his lab. Plus I find these historical photographic processes pretty interesting and want to bring awareness of them out to the public.

Full Resolution Photos: If you want to see full resolution photos below, they are up on my portfolio for viewing here.

Parts: 1 | 2 | 

Most of the photos for today will be of the daguerreotype process. If you want to see the tintype process, please see the previous part.

Framing up the shot.

Posing the model.

Due to the fact these old photographic processes required a long exposure, the device Eric is using is for keeping the subject's head still while the shot is being taken.

Since the "preview" in the back of the camera is really dim, a cloth is needed for the photographer to see the image. 

Getting ready to take the photo. 

Starting the exposure. 

Ending the exposure. 

Developing the daguerreotype. 

The final daguerreotype. 

Setting up for a second portrait. 

Starting the exposure. 

Exposing the image. 

The final portraits. 

Trying to get the reflection off of the daguerreotype. Daguerreotypes tend to be highly reflective. 

The inside of the camera. 

One of Eric's dogs. 

These are all the photos for today. I hope you have enjoyed viewing them. Again, if you would like to see the services Eric Mertens offers, his website is here. Please don't forget to share the blog post with your friends and family members! Also, if you want to get notifications when I post up more photos, "Like" us on Facebook or follow me on Twitter and Google+. These links can also be found on the top of the right sidebar.

Parts: 1 | 2 |