Ghosts, Orbs, and Exploding Nitrate Film (with Dave Wilson of Victorian Photography Studio)

<p></p> <p>On this spooky episode, we’ll be talking to Dave from Victorian Photo Studio in Gettysburg (<a href='https://www.instagram.com/vps_gettysburg/'>@vps_gettysburg</a> on IG) about tintypes and ghost photos! We’ll also tell you all about some ridiculously explosive film that was essentially gunpowder.  Ever wanted to know how to spot a fake ghost photo? It’s pretty easy, but we’ll tell you how anyway! There’s also Tiffen Sinclair (<a href='https://www.instagram.com/tiffen.sinclair/'>@tiffen.sinclair</a> on IG), zine reviews and oodles more.</p> <p> </p> Dave Wilson! <p> </p> <p>Dave is a tintypist and historian who brings your Victorian dreams to life (or death) using traditional old timey photography. He’s also been trying to replicate William Mumler’s techniques of producing “spectral images.”</p> <p> </p> <p>Our talk with him was wonderful and entertaining. Here are a few of his tintypes:</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>During the interview, Dave mentioned a couple of Civil War photos:</p> <p> </p> Tidball's Battery<p> </p> Regiment resting at Fredericksburg, Va<p> </p> Nitrate Film <p> </p> <p>Have you ever seen the words “Safety Film” marked on the edge of your rolls or sheets? Just what does it mean? If this film is “safe,” is there “unsafe” film? </p> <p> </p> <p>Nitrate film (or as they called it then, film) wasn’t dynomite. Yes, it was hazardous, it was explosive, but a lot of things were back then. I mean, they had kerosene lamps in the house - just burning away above your heads. That said, nitrate film, especially when it came to motion picture film, wasn’t without its victims.</p> <p> </p> <p>At room temperature, nitrate film is almost perfectly safe-ish. But get too much above (say, 200 F) and you’re inching towards a very low flash point. Remember, this is essentially gun powder, except more explosive and more flammable.</p> <p> </p> <p>For fire to burn, it needs oxygen and fuel. Take either away and out goes fire. A candle can be snuffed out by a bell,