Great Blue Heron Heronry, Lane County Oregon
- 11 x 14 x 1 in
- $100
- Stephen Stanley
A solar plate print showing male great blue herons guarding nests in preparation for mating in a secluded area, surrounded and protected by water. Base photograph was taken 2/2023, then manipulated to high contrast black and white necessary for exposure to a solar plate. Limited edition of 30 handprinted with brown ink on an etching press.
My wife and I spend many weekends birding different areas around Eugene. This heronry is a special place. I spent three years before I got a photograph with many occupied nests. I like hand printing, so instead of just showing the photograph I processed it as a solar plate etching. This is the largest solar plate and etching plate I’ve attempted. I also draw wild birds with Prismacolor pencils.
Wildlife thrives within Eugene’s city limits as a result of environmental protections enacted by city and county governments.
Solar plate is an ultraviolet sensitive emulsion fixed to a metal plate. An image (drawn or photographic) on a transparent substrate sandwiched with the plate is exposed to sunlight or an ultraviolet light source. The ultraviolet light hardens the exposed emulsion. Then the plate is washed out with water. No toxic chemicals are used. The plate is then printed as any other intaglio plate. A relief plate can also be made.
- Created: 2023