Lisa Elmaleh Photography

Jim's Porch, West Virginia, 2013

We have been seeing a lot of Lisa Elmaleh's photographs lately.  That's a good thing. 

In the age of selfies, pixels, and intagram, Elmaleh has gone all 1800's on her photography. She produces her images with a wet-plate colloidan process that was used in the mid 19th century.  Instead of film, a piece of glass is covered with a sticky layer of toxic chemicals.  The sticky glass plate is placed in a camera and when exposed, the glass becomes the negative.

It is the same photographic process used by Mathew Brady during the Civil War.  Elmaleh has outfitted her truck with a portable darkroom and has taken it on the road.  Our favorite collection of photographs is from a series called American Folk, portraits of folk musicians in Appalachia.

Hogslop String Band. Harpeth River, TN, 2010.

In the last few month's Elmaleh's work has been featured in several major publications and shows are popping up around the country.  You can keep up with the news at her site, Lisa Elmaleh Photography.  Give it a look, you won't be disappointed.

Ralph Roberts, West Virginia, 2012