16 Comments
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Sarah Moorcroft's avatar

So interesting, and what a fascinating person to be inspired by, I look forward to learning more.

Deborah Parkin's avatar

Thank you so much, Sarah - really appreciate your kind comment. She is a very fascinating woman & her work is just beautiful 🥰

Suzan Baars-Between City&Sea's avatar

I can imagine your wonder and frustration, since this process is so much more difficult. But also very rewarding I think! I watched my father in law struggle with collodium prints and also with the difficulty to obtain the materials.

I loved to read your story and see you beautiful pictures. Thank you!

Deborah Parkin's avatar

Thank you so much for your kind words- really appreciated! I hope you get to try it yourself one day 😊

Suzan Baars-Between City&Sea's avatar

Who knows, I may🍀

Deborah Parkin's avatar

I hope you do 😊

Karina Jakubowicz's avatar

I love this. I have a chapter on Mrs Dalloway in my book and there's a character called Helena Parry who collects orchids from far flung parts of the world. My first thought was of Marianne North and you can imagine my surprise when I saw the connection between Woolf, North, and her great aunt, Julia. The fact that Helena Parry is Clarissa Dalloway's elderly aunt, made the link even better.

Deborah Parkin's avatar

That is so interesting, Karina. I love all these threads and connections. I love the fact that I came across JMC via Marianne North & then found out that she was Woolf’s great-aunt. Nowadays I look at the images and ponder on the what the heat had done to the chemistry on the plate - drying it so quickly - and how difficult the exposure must have been in that light. It is wonderful the journeys these great women take us on isn’t it! I really hope I get to read your book.

Luz Mendes's avatar

Your portraits are wonderful. So amazing to be inspired by such a great photographer as Cameron and create the kind of work that she did and even exhibit your work next to hers! You must be very proud of it and have all the right to be. Congratulations!

Deborah Parkin's avatar

Thank you so much for your lovely comment- I really appreciate it 😊

Darin's avatar

Great story, and some damned gorgeous work!

Deborah Parkin's avatar

Thank you so much, that’s so kind of you!

Marie Waller's avatar

Wow this is absolutely fascinating - I know next to zero about photography but I love the look of the wet plates .

It’s mind blowing to hear accounts of Victorians taking photos too - in that way.

Love your photos they remind me of the Victorian fairy images 😊

Deborah Parkin's avatar

Thank you so much, Marie for your lovely comment & for taking the time to read this. I’m so pleased that you found this post interesting - Victorian photography is fascinating & Julia Margaret Cameron in particular is very interesting. I hope you will enjoy more of these women in the coming months. Thanks again!

The Bard of Tysoe's avatar

I was on a walk across Tennyson Down, having started at the Old Battery at the Needles; and was heading into Freshwater for a break (with my shiny new Nikon D200 hanging conspicuously around my neck). “Into photography, are you?” I was asked.

And the rest is history. I spent much of the afternoon at Dimbola, transfixed (and educated); and, I think, probably fell slightly in love with this magical creative woman. I have been ever since!

Your series ‘unveiling’ similarly amazing photographers is equally educative (and transfixing). And I love the way you frequently echo their work in your own, immersing yourself in their methods and lives; and taking us with you. Thank you so much!

Deborah Parkin's avatar

Oh my, what a wonderful comment, thank you so much for sharing your story with me. Thank you also for your kind words about the post too - this really means a lot to me - I love writing about these wonderful women & how they have shaped me as a photographer & to some extent as a person. I do hope I can write more that you will find interesting. Thank you again!