We got a call from a local photographer to make some shadowboxes for an upcoming show. The six boxes were made of cherry, to be stained black and waxed. The client will do the finishing, as well as lining the interiors with black velvet and adding concealed lighting and non-reflective glass.
Michael is helping to keep alive an early photographic technique, the wet plate colloidon process. This process is primitive, painstaking, and particularly romantic in our present day digital realm.
One of the great things about our work is the people we get to meet. We've had such a string of good experiences with our clients, and this little job led us to spending the better part of an afternoon sitting for some portraits done by Michael. michaelshindler.com
Since the photographic plates must go immediately to the darkroom and the processing takes a bit of time, Michael had his friend John (another photographer: johntorrente.com) on hand to keep us enthralled with stories of his world travels, which alone would've been worth the trip.
Along with the good company, the visit yielded these remarkable "tintypes," rendering the two of us into what appear to be Civil War era carpenters.
The San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art is showing "Exposed: Today's Photography/Yesterday's Technology" in their Focus Gallery, from July 17th - September 19th.
Six of Michael's tintypes will be exhibited, in the above-mentioned shadowboxes.
If you're interested in having your own portrait commisioned, Michael can be contacted at his web address above.
