A history buff, Morgan has a particular interest in the Civil War. But while he wanted to indulge his hobby, Morgan didn’t want to become a reenactor. And then it clicked.

Morgan began researching Civil War photography and stumbled upon a method called wet-plate collodion photography, also known as tin-plate photography. Instantly, a hobby was born. “I always liked photography, but I particularly liked the imagery of Civil War photography,” Morgan said.

As the term might suggest, wet-plate photography is hardly a modern method. It requires bulky equipment, most notably a camera measuring about two feet in length. And it requires a skillful, steady hand, mostly because of the potentially hazardous chemicals required to expose an image on a glass or metal plate.

The process basically works like this: A glass or metal plate is covered with collodion, a base liquid. The plate is then saturated with silver nitrate, which mixes with the collodion to make the plate sensitive to light.

The plate is then placed in a film holder and set inside the camera. The photographer makes an exposure — takes a picture — by removing the lens cap and allowing in light for up to 15 seconds. The plate is then rushed to a makeshift darkroom, where it is doused with a developer chemical and rinsed in water.

Next, the plate is varnished with a form of tree sap, then saturated in alcohol and lavender oil. Finally, the plate is exposed to heat to finish the process.

If it all seems a bit confusing, Morgan said it’s important to remember just one thing. “It’s called wet plate because the plate has to stay wet,” he said. “If it dries, it loses its sensitivity to light.”

Morgan said it has taken him years to perfect the process, but he has enjoyed his new hobby, and he’s not alone.

“It’s catching on as an art form,” he said. “It’s the new photographic art because it’s different. People are trying to get away from the mundane stuff and try out a different look.”

“A lot of artists want to use this method because it’s not modern,” Morgan added. “It’s hands-on. And in some ways, I think it’s more of an art form than a lot of modern photography because there’s no manipulation other than what you do with your hands.”

Morgan said he uses his talent to give an antique feel to so many of life’s moments. Among his more recent work has been a wedding-photo shoot and work with Old Salem, a historic site in Winston-Salem. He has also traveled the East Coast, working with historic sites from South Carolina to New York.

“It’s therapeutic,” Morgan said. “You really have to pay attention to what you’re doing.”

To view more samples of Morgan’s work, visit creativeexposureinc.com.