wet-plate photography, a process that had largely faded by the 1940s, was brought back to life in the 1980s by John Coffer. fascinated by 19th-century photographic techniques, coffer immersed himself in old manuals and original processes to revive this lost art. he sold everything he owned to buy a horse and buggy, embarking on a cross-country journey to practice wet-plate photography and document the people he met along the way.

coffer fully embraced the 1800s lifestyle—not just in photography, but in everyday life. he hand-crafted his own gilded frames using traditional methods and even built his own log cabin without modern tools, electricity, or running water. his commitment to living authentically in the spirit of the 19th century is as remarkable as his art. he continues to live off the grid in upstate new york, preserving both the craft and spirit of the 1800s. his story is one of passion, dedication, and a rare kind of authenticity. by tnt