[Marizu]

Regarding (wetplate) collodion, why exactly does one have to shoot immediately? What if you vacuum sealed it on the spot while coating? Curious if it'd be possible to make collodion plates that you could, you know, unwrap and use on the fly.

They are no longer light sensitive when they are dry. Any previously exposed latent image disappears if the plate dries out.

The collodion is like a thin coating of syrup with a thin film and nothing can be in contact with it or it will impact the image.

There was an old technique of covering a sensitised plate with honey to stop it evaporating.
This honey process meant that the plate could be transported for several days.