Shane Balkowitsch
@balkowitsch.bsky.social
A self-taught photographer taking on the historic wet plate collodion process.
"Split" with Aleah Hoiland, captured in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass. This effect was done in camera utilizing a bespoke half dark slide in my plate holder.
Carl Zeiss Tessar 300mm lens, f4.5, 8 second exposure, 8x10" black glass ambrotype, natural light
Carl Zeiss Tessar 300mm lens, f4.5, 8 second exposure, 8x10" black glass ambrotype, natural light
November 20, 2025 at 5:55 PM
"Split" with Aleah Hoiland, captured in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass. This effect was done in camera utilizing a bespoke half dark slide in my plate holder.
Carl Zeiss Tessar 300mm lens, f4.5, 8 second exposure, 8x10" black glass ambrotype, natural light
Carl Zeiss Tessar 300mm lens, f4.5, 8 second exposure, 8x10" black glass ambrotype, natural light
"Vis-a-vis" with Aleah Hoiland, a double exposure captured in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass.
Carl Zeiss Tessar 300mm lens, f4.5, two 7 second exposures, 8x10" black glass ambrotype, natural light at Nostalgic Glass Wet Plate Studio, Bismarck, North Dakota, Plate 5538
Carl Zeiss Tessar 300mm lens, f4.5, two 7 second exposures, 8x10" black glass ambrotype, natural light at Nostalgic Glass Wet Plate Studio, Bismarck, North Dakota, Plate 5538
November 18, 2025 at 5:01 AM
"Vis-a-vis" with Aleah Hoiland, a double exposure captured in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass.
Carl Zeiss Tessar 300mm lens, f4.5, two 7 second exposures, 8x10" black glass ambrotype, natural light at Nostalgic Glass Wet Plate Studio, Bismarck, North Dakota, Plate 5538
Carl Zeiss Tessar 300mm lens, f4.5, two 7 second exposures, 8x10" black glass ambrotype, natural light at Nostalgic Glass Wet Plate Studio, Bismarck, North Dakota, Plate 5538
I am honored to share the new cover for North Dakota Horizons Magazine and a story about my series "Northern Plains Native Americans: A Modern Wet Plate Perspective". Get a copy if you can!
Amelia Jade Herman "Sacred Eagle Woman" MHA Nation / Spirit Lake Nation / Standing Rock Sioux
Amelia Jade Herman "Sacred Eagle Woman" MHA Nation / Spirit Lake Nation / Standing Rock Sioux
November 17, 2025 at 10:26 PM
I am honored to share the new cover for North Dakota Horizons Magazine and a story about my series "Northern Plains Native Americans: A Modern Wet Plate Perspective". Get a copy if you can!
Amelia Jade Herman "Sacred Eagle Woman" MHA Nation / Spirit Lake Nation / Standing Rock Sioux
Amelia Jade Herman "Sacred Eagle Woman" MHA Nation / Spirit Lake Nation / Standing Rock Sioux
"Solemn" with Aleah Hoiland, captured for the first time in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass.
Carl Zeiss Tessar 300mm lens, f8, 4 second exposures, 8x10" black glass ambrotype, natural light at Nostalgic Glass Wet Plate Studio, Bismarck, North Dakota, Plate 5536
Carl Zeiss Tessar 300mm lens, f8, 4 second exposures, 8x10" black glass ambrotype, natural light at Nostalgic Glass Wet Plate Studio, Bismarck, North Dakota, Plate 5536
November 15, 2025 at 12:01 AM
"Solemn" with Aleah Hoiland, captured for the first time in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass.
Carl Zeiss Tessar 300mm lens, f8, 4 second exposures, 8x10" black glass ambrotype, natural light at Nostalgic Glass Wet Plate Studio, Bismarck, North Dakota, Plate 5536
Carl Zeiss Tessar 300mm lens, f8, 4 second exposures, 8x10" black glass ambrotype, natural light at Nostalgic Glass Wet Plate Studio, Bismarck, North Dakota, Plate 5536
"Ascension" a double exposure with my friend and muse Brea Helm. Assisted by Victoria Lyubchenko and Kelli Swenson.
Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, two 8 second exposures, 8x10" black glass ambrotype, natural light through Northern facing windows and skylights with continuous bulbs.
Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, two 8 second exposures, 8x10" black glass ambrotype, natural light through Northern facing windows and skylights with continuous bulbs.
November 10, 2025 at 1:10 AM
"Ascension" a double exposure with my friend and muse Brea Helm. Assisted by Victoria Lyubchenko and Kelli Swenson.
Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, two 8 second exposures, 8x10" black glass ambrotype, natural light through Northern facing windows and skylights with continuous bulbs.
Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, two 8 second exposures, 8x10" black glass ambrotype, natural light through Northern facing windows and skylights with continuous bulbs.
"Evoking Irving" (Plate 3 of 3) of a triptych with Brea Helm captured in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass. Assisted by Victoria Lyubchenko, Chad Nodland and Tom Wirtz.
Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 9 seconds of exposure, 8x10" black glass Ambrotype.
Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 9 seconds of exposure, 8x10" black glass Ambrotype.
November 8, 2025 at 7:57 PM
"Evoking Irving" (Plate 3 of 3) of a triptych with Brea Helm captured in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass. Assisted by Victoria Lyubchenko, Chad Nodland and Tom Wirtz.
Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 9 seconds of exposure, 8x10" black glass Ambrotype.
Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 9 seconds of exposure, 8x10" black glass Ambrotype.
On the set of “Evoking Irving” by Chad Nodland, the official digital photographer to my studio.
November 8, 2025 at 4:08 AM
On the set of “Evoking Irving” by Chad Nodland, the official digital photographer to my studio.
"Nacre's Elegance" with my friend Mackenzie Dawn Reynolds, captured in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass.
Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, two 8 seconds of exposure, 8x10" black glass ambrotype, natural light through Northern facing windows and skylights
Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, two 8 seconds of exposure, 8x10" black glass ambrotype, natural light through Northern facing windows and skylights
November 3, 2025 at 2:34 AM
"Nacre's Elegance" with my friend Mackenzie Dawn Reynolds, captured in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass.
Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, two 8 seconds of exposure, 8x10" black glass ambrotype, natural light through Northern facing windows and skylights
Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, two 8 seconds of exposure, 8x10" black glass ambrotype, natural light through Northern facing windows and skylights
"Maplethorpe's Mistress" with my friend and muse Mackenzie Dawn Reynolds, captured in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass. Photographers with a knowledge of photographic history will understand the reference and how contrary the title is.
Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens
Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens
November 2, 2025 at 2:21 AM
"Maplethorpe's Mistress" with my friend and muse Mackenzie Dawn Reynolds, captured in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass. Photographers with a knowledge of photographic history will understand the reference and how contrary the title is.
Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens
Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens
Abigail Arainia Aldrich, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa captured for the first time in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass for the series "Northern Plains Native Americans: A Modern Wet Plate Perspective".
Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 10 seconds of exposure, 8x10"
Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 10 seconds of exposure, 8x10"
October 30, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Abigail Arainia Aldrich, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa captured for the first time in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass for the series "Northern Plains Native Americans: A Modern Wet Plate Perspective".
Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 10 seconds of exposure, 8x10"
Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 10 seconds of exposure, 8x10"
Jessau Jaymz Devon Christian "Sweet Grass Woman", Eastern Shoshone / Assiniboine Apsaalooke captured for the second time in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass.
Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 10 seconds of exposure, 8x10" black glass ambrotype, natural light.
Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 10 seconds of exposure, 8x10" black glass ambrotype, natural light.
October 27, 2025 at 1:22 AM
Jessau Jaymz Devon Christian "Sweet Grass Woman", Eastern Shoshone / Assiniboine Apsaalooke captured for the second time in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass.
Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 10 seconds of exposure, 8x10" black glass ambrotype, natural light.
Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 10 seconds of exposure, 8x10" black glass ambrotype, natural light.
Rylee Jose captured in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on black glass. Composition assistance and styling by Victoria Lyubchenko.
Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 7 seconds of exposure, 8x10" black glass ambrotype, natural light.
Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 7 seconds of exposure, 8x10" black glass ambrotype, natural light.
October 14, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Rylee Jose captured in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on black glass. Composition assistance and styling by Victoria Lyubchenko.
Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 7 seconds of exposure, 8x10" black glass ambrotype, natural light.
Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 7 seconds of exposure, 8x10" black glass ambrotype, natural light.
"Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu" with Royce Gracie, captured for the first time in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass. Royce is the pioneer of the UFC and won UFC 1, 2 and 4 when there were very limited rules, no weight limits and no time limits.
October 3, 2025 at 9:15 PM
"Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu" with Royce Gracie, captured for the first time in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass. Royce is the pioneer of the UFC and won UFC 1, 2 and 4 when there were very limited rules, no weight limits and no time limits.
"Carrying On the BJJ Tradition" with Royce Gracie, captured for the first time in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass. Royce is the pioneer of the UFC and won UFC 1, 2 and 4 when there were very limited rules, no weight limits and no time limits. I grew up renting VHS tapes
September 30, 2025 at 10:23 PM
"Carrying On the BJJ Tradition" with Royce Gracie, captured for the first time in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass. Royce is the pioneer of the UFC and won UFC 1, 2 and 4 when there were very limited rules, no weight limits and no time limits. I grew up renting VHS tapes
Jayah Rain Celeste Keplin "Red Fox Tail Woman", Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, captured in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on black glass for the series "Northern Plains Native Americans: A Modern Wet Plate Perspective".
Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens
Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens
September 29, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Jayah Rain Celeste Keplin "Red Fox Tail Woman", Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, captured in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on black glass for the series "Northern Plains Native Americans: A Modern Wet Plate Perspective".
Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens
Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens
LeeSah Dee Banley "Good Horse Woman", Cheyenne River Sioux, captured in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on black glass for the series "Northern Plains Native Americans: A Modern Wet Plate Perspective". This plate is going to the South Dakota State Historical Society.
September 15, 2025 at 1:21 PM
LeeSah Dee Banley "Good Horse Woman", Cheyenne River Sioux, captured in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on black glass for the series "Northern Plains Native Americans: A Modern Wet Plate Perspective". This plate is going to the South Dakota State Historical Society.
"Hydra" with Caylee Krein, captured in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on black glass. Triple exposure.
Carl Zeiss Tessar f4.5 250mm lens, 6/3/3 seconds of exposure (triple exposure), 8x10" black glass ambrotype, natural light through Northern facing windows and skylights
Carl Zeiss Tessar f4.5 250mm lens, 6/3/3 seconds of exposure (triple exposure), 8x10" black glass ambrotype, natural light through Northern facing windows and skylights
September 14, 2025 at 5:51 PM
"Hydra" with Caylee Krein, captured in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on black glass. Triple exposure.
Carl Zeiss Tessar f4.5 250mm lens, 6/3/3 seconds of exposure (triple exposure), 8x10" black glass ambrotype, natural light through Northern facing windows and skylights
Carl Zeiss Tessar f4.5 250mm lens, 6/3/3 seconds of exposure (triple exposure), 8x10" black glass ambrotype, natural light through Northern facing windows and skylights
Amelia Jade Herman “Sacred Eagle Woman”, MHA Nation / Spirit Lake Nation / Standing Rock Sioux, for the series "Northern Plains Native Americans: A Modern Wet Plate Perspective". Amelia is in town to dance at the United Tribes Technical College International Pow Wow. She is 15 years old.
September 7, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Amelia Jade Herman “Sacred Eagle Woman”, MHA Nation / Spirit Lake Nation / Standing Rock Sioux, for the series "Northern Plains Native Americans: A Modern Wet Plate Perspective". Amelia is in town to dance at the United Tribes Technical College International Pow Wow. She is 15 years old.
Marisa Miakonda Cummings "Moon Power", Omaha Tribe of Nebraska captured in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass for the series "Northern Plains Native Americans: A Modern Wet Plate Perspective".
Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 6 seconds of exposure
Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 6 seconds of exposure
September 4, 2025 at 3:33 AM
Marisa Miakonda Cummings "Moon Power", Omaha Tribe of Nebraska captured in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on glass for the series "Northern Plains Native Americans: A Modern Wet Plate Perspective".
Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 6 seconds of exposure
Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 6 seconds of exposure
Rayn LaVerne Gullickson, Lakota / Arikara captured in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on ruby red glass for the series "Northern Plains Native Americans: A Modern Wet Plate Perspective".
Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 6 seconds of exposure, 8x10" ruby glass ambrotype
Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 6 seconds of exposure, 8x10" ruby glass ambrotype
August 30, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Rayn LaVerne Gullickson, Lakota / Arikara captured in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on ruby red glass for the series "Northern Plains Native Americans: A Modern Wet Plate Perspective".
Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 6 seconds of exposure, 8x10" ruby glass ambrotype
Carl Zeiss Tessar 250mm lens, f4.5, 6 seconds of exposure, 8x10" ruby glass ambrotype
"Moon Paladin", plate one of three (triptych), with Brandon Hagerott captured in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on black glass. Costume design my propmaster Laine Pope.
In medieval European legend, the paladins were 12 brave knights who were loyal followers of Charlemagne.
In medieval European legend, the paladins were 12 brave knights who were loyal followers of Charlemagne.
August 21, 2025 at 1:20 PM
"Moon Paladin", plate one of three (triptych), with Brandon Hagerott captured in the historic wet plate collodion process of silver on black glass. Costume design my propmaster Laine Pope.
In medieval European legend, the paladins were 12 brave knights who were loyal followers of Charlemagne.
In medieval European legend, the paladins were 12 brave knights who were loyal followers of Charlemagne.