Jon Adaskin

Wetplate Collodion Artist

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

About Jon Jon is a photographer and educator specializing in the historic Wet Plate Collodion process, creating one-of-a-kind images on blackened steel using a large format camera. Dating back to the 1850s, this handcrafted photographic technique involves coating each plate with collodion, sensitizing it in silver nitrate, and exposing and developing it while still wet. The result is timeless portraits that evoke the spirit of the 19th century while maintaining a distinctive contemporary feel. Jon’s passion for photography began in childhood. His father, a painter, often photographed landscapes and nature scenes as references for his artwork, inspiring Jon’s lifelong appreciation for the camera as a creative tool. His photographic journey started with a Pentax K1000 and a single lens. That simple camera became the foundation for developing the technical skills and artistic vision that have guided his work throughout more than three decades as a professional photographer. Today, Jon continues to create professional photography, teach photographers of all experience levels, and share his passion for historic processes through hands-on Wet Plate Collodion workshops. Whether crafting heirloom-quality portraits or introducing others to this remarkable 19th-century technique, Jon is dedicated to preserving the artistry and craftsmanship of one of photography’s earliest forms.

©️2026 Jon Adaskin