Silver and Salt Studio: Rochester Public Market

Silver and Salt is a lively, public wet plate studio located at the Rochester Public Market. I work there with RIT alumnus Nick Kundrat, whom I mentor through the process. The studio is open to the community, giving people a chance to see wet plate photography up close and observe my teaching and creative work in action.

This studio is an important part of my scholarship because it’s a hands-on way to explore and share the technical, historical, and artistic aspects of wet plate photography. By demonstrating and teaching these techniques in a public space, I’m able to advance my research and understanding of this historic process in a practical setting. It also allows me to mentor students and emerging artists, helping them develop their skills and deepen their understanding of photographic history and craft.

Silver and Salt bridges the gap between education and community engagement. It provides a space for experiential learning, mentorship, and knowledge sharing that contributes directly to my scholarly work. The activities here help push forward discussions about the history, techniques, and cultural significance of wet plate photography, making it an active and meaningful part of my ongoing scholarship