Artist Captures Soul of Kaua‘i by Using 1850s Photographic Technique

An award winning photo at the Contemporary Photography Hawai‘i 2016, by Daniel Finchum.

Visitors can anticipate a unique experience while visiting local artist Daniel Finchum’s “Kama’aina Soul – Anthology,” an exhibit of wet plate collodion images at the Kaua‘i Society of Artists gallery in Lihu‘e this month.

Wet plate collodion is an early photographic process invented in 1851, and soon replaced by more practical methods. However, in the last few decades, wet plate collodion photography has gone through a revival, especially by fine art photographers.

An award winning photographer, Finchum has worked on this portfolio for the past year and a half. Finchum’s wet plate images are inspired by Kaua‘i’s kama‘aina and the ‘aina to which they are connected.

Wet plate collodion photography is considered one of the earliest forms of photography practiced by only a couple thousand people around the world. The process is slow and each image is handcrafted. The process is difficult to master, but Finchum was able to capture his subjects with poignancy, sensitivity and raw emotion.

Finchum has collected about 250 diverse images with his recognizable style. Besides portraits, his work encompasses many topics dealing with local culture, history, family and contemporary ideas, with influences ranging from pictorialism to modern art.

He enjoys working with a wide range of ages, races, gender and especially the keiki.

Finchum’s exhibit opening is Jan. 21 at the Kaua‘i Society of Artists gallery at Kukui Grove Center in Lihu‘e, from 6 to 9 p.m. There will be a VIP showing for his models/sitters at 5 p.m. The reception will feature pupus and music by some of the people Finchum photographed.

“Kama’aina Soul – Anthology” exhibit will continue until Feb. 4 with daily viewing times from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Finchum’s entire body of work will be available for viewing after the exhibit on www.kauaiainaart.com.