Böcker av Shane Balkowitsch

North Dakotan Shane Balkowitsch's quest to take 1000 Native American wet-plates portraits in the present day is one step closer with this second to last volume. In this series of wet-plate collodion book of portraits of Northern Plains Native Americans, the photographer/author continues with his distinctive and unique presentation that is the only one to have ever been instigated or created for this particular group of Native Americans. The technique he uses, wet-plate collodion and the eye of the author align to present a masterful, unique, and respectful array that is sumptuous and compelling. Here the subjects are presented in their native garb, giving he subjects the opportunity explore their self-image, in a safe space where who they are how they see themselves are certain to be respected and admired. Wet-plate collodion is one of the earliest forms of photography. A wet-plate photographer makes a film based on a piece of glass or metal using collodion, submerges it in a silver nitrate solution to make it light sensitive, and then exposes the photograph usually in an old style wood bellows camera box and antique brass lens from the 1800's. The end result is a one-of-a-kind, archival object of art that will last many lifetimes.Shane and his Native American sitters have collaborated in the creation of a piece of contemporary history using classical methodology. The legacy he has created is indeed, who they were, what they were like, and what they did. There is nothing like it in the library of Native American portraiture in the modern era. The photographer's effort is to show that his subjects are still here--with their culture, dignity, and traditions.

This unique book of portraits by a master of the wet-plate collodion technique and expert on the history and the North Dakota American Indians in this, his second book, shows the majesty and respectof these Native Americans, never before photographed as a group, in native garb. For historians and photographers alike, this second book in an anticipated series of three, is a distinctive treasure.Current photography not archivalWet-plate format unique and historic to this kind of photographySecond in  an ongoing series, reminiscent of Curtis’ efforts to catalog entire populationsSubjects presented in native garb so retro/current aspect to the subject and the photography as wellNo other photographer or historian has taken on this subject with such intense understanding of the group