front cover Vintage Image Studios
Image by Bob Gathany
Wendell Decker
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19th century
Collodion Photographer
Ambrotypes & Ferrotypes
slide 2 
Image by Robert Szabo
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welcome Welcome
to
Vintage Image Studios
"Having an eye for period photography has little to do with where the eye is placed behind the camera, but more where it is placed, IN TIME" W.R.Decker
about me ABOUT ME
Though all my blood is southern, I was born and raised up north. That's where the jobs were, in the 50's.
I always had a love for Science, Nature, and THE ARTS. I have been an artist of one form or another, all my life. In photography I have worked in Childrens photography, Landscape and even ASTRO Photography.
When I moved south I quickly developed a love for Civil War Metal Detecting, as well.. The one thing I couldn't dig up though, were the images of soldiers. I'd find them at relic shows and buy, or trade for them. I bought an image once and while studying it, thought that it was a shame that no one made these anymore. Then another thought hit me. "WHY NOT"? It was like combining all my passions, in one. I spent the next three and a half years finding the answers. I read diaries and manuscripts. Anything I could get my hands on. So many dead ends. One day a Doctor in Texas told me of a man named Mark Osterman. If I had a problem he would talk to me, over the phone and try and help. After three and a half years, plus a year of practicing, I felt ready to face the world.
Our images have graced the covers of such magazines as "The Camp Chase Gazette", "The Citizens Companion", and "The Civil War Historion", among other works.
Now find us among the pages of the "Civil War Campaigner"
In business since 1997
Image by Bob Gathany
slide 5 Once I was out there I made another discovery. I WASN'T ALONE!!!!! There were seven others. Six in the east. One in the west. Which left everything in between, TO ME.
I traveled from Michigan to Florida and as far west as New Mexico. It's never been an easy road to follow. Just like the photographers that traveled, following the army, I too am VERY weather dependent. If it is raining, it is best to stay at home. When Mother Nature DOES behave herself, MAGIC HAPPENS.
In 1851 Frederick Scott Archer discovered that collodion could be used as an alternative to egg white (albumen) on glass plates. This became known as the 'wet plate collodion' or 'wet collodion' method.
In the darkroom a plate is coated with Collodion. It is poured on and tilted to allow the collodion to flow from one corner to the other, until coated. The excess is poured back into the bottle. The ether and alcohol evaporate, leaving the collodion to adhere to the plate. Next, it is placed into a tank (bath) of Silver Nitrate,for three minutes. During this time, the silver adheres to the tackiness of the film. After removing the plate from the bath, the back is wiped off and it is placed into the plate holder. Once in the camera, the darkslide is pulled and the film is ready to be exposed. This is done by removing the lens cap. Typically around 6 seconds, though it can vary greatly. Developed in a ferrous sulfate based developer and fixed with either potassium cyanide or sodium thiosulfate. In less than seven minutes you can see the image, but it isn't done yet. It must be cleaned, dried and then varnished. In less than a hour, it is finished and ready to be picked up........ Pretty much Instamatic Photography, for the mid-1800's.
Buyer Beware. Though I produce images as they were made in the 1800's, I do things to keep mine from being passed off as "Originals" All my plates are signed and have a copyright date. Plus I do other things collectors would notice. Trying to sell one of my images as a period one is a Federal Crime, so don't try it.
Page 15 DO'S & DON'TS
There are many things one needs to keep in mind, when considering having an image done. Though the weather can sometimes be your worst enemy, it can also be your best friend.
Yes, it is true that there isn't a lot going to get done when it's raining. It might also be true that if the wind is blowing very hard, it might jiggle the camera itself. Still, there have been so many times when someone has come up to me and said " I was going to come over yesterday, but it was cloudy".
PEOPLE ! ! !
Do NOT let a cloudy day keep you away. When it is a bit cloudy, the light is still there. It is only DEFUSED. An overcast day is the BEST lighting one could ask for, when doing portraits . No shadows, or squinting, and nice even skin tones.
The images below, were taken on OVERCAST days.
If you want your image to look it's best, think of what to bring and what to leave behind. Leave the 21st century ( wristwatches, cellphones, etc..) in your tent, or better yet, at home. Your image can only be as good as your impression. Do your research. A suggestion I could make to the men, might be to wear your hair in more of a period haie style, for the image. Be more daring.
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Page 16 NO MAKEUP!!! Many colors do not photograph the way you'd think they might. Red photographs BLACK. Ladies!!! You wouldn't want to be wearing lipstick, or blush. Wearing a gown with red roses on a black background, will usually end up solid black. If wearing a solid color gown, it is always a good idea to include items such as brooches and shawls to break it up a bit. Patterns are normally a better choice.
The color chart below will give you an idea of how each color might (but not always) appear, when photographed in period photography.
Men should avoid coming off the hot, summer fields, with their face all flush. If your face is reddish when you come to have your image done, your skin tone is going to be VERY dark. Cool down, first.
The color one see's in images of the time period, wasn't captured in the photograph. It was applied to the image after it dried and before it was varnished.
Click examples below
gallery 1 
Special Needs
It isn't easy being a Collodion Photographer. Trying to promise to be at any event, is hard to do. We are very weather dependent. One can't see that far ahead, in the weather. Though we might be committed to an event, there is no way to promise to be there. If it rains that weekend, there is nothing that can be done. We must have flat level ground to set up on. We must face north and have a supply of fresh water, No, it isn't easy being authentic, but when the conditions are favorable, we can produce some of the finest quality images, you'll ever see.
Making images is not all we do. As we work we are also lecturing to the crowds. We teach people how period photography was actually done. We fix our images in front of the crowds, so they can watch the image turn from a negative to a positive, right in front of their eyes. To them it's the Magic Show.
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Page 12 
1/6 Plate
2 3/4" X 3 1/4"
$30
1/4 Plate
3 1/4" X 4 1/4"
$40
1/2 Plate
4 1/4" X 5 1/2"
$50
Page 14 We value your thoughts
If you have any thoughts, comments or suggestions, please leave them here
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Songs Credits
Going home - Mary Fahl Ashoken Farewell - Jay Ungar
Rosin the Bow - The Clancy Brothers Lorena - Art Stmper
The Dreadful Wind And Rain - Un-Reconstructed
Contact Us CONTACT US
Wendell R. Decker of Vintage Image Studios
ambro92_yahoo.com
270-784-8358
Back Cover 
Vintage Image Studios
Bowling Green, Kentucky
Take care of the day
Accipe Cura Die
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