Q: What is a tintype?

A: A tintype is an image created using a photographic process called the weplate collodion process…or wetplate for short. The wetplate process was invented in the mid 1800’s and was a common form or photography during the American Civil War. The process involves coating a metal plate with a light sensitive emulsion, exposing the plate in camera, and developing the plate quickly before the emulsion has time to dry (hence the name wetplate). The physical metal plate with the resulting image IS the tintype. There are no “prints”.

Q: You’ve signed up for a tintype portrait. What should you wear?

A: Let your personality show through! Textures (like denim), bold prints and patterns show up very well. Hats, necklaces, scarves, your grandfather’s vintage jacket and/or all other meaningful accessories are welcome and encouraged. The only color I would stay away from is solid white (yes, I’m looking at you…the one who was about to show up with a solid white button-up on).

Q: What about young kids? And pets?

A: Kids and pets are welcome, but depending how wiggly they are, getting a “perfect” tintype with them is rare. “Perfect” tintypes are rare as it is! After the tintype is coated and loaded into the camera, the clock is ticking to get everyone in position to expose the plate. Once everyone is position and the camera is focused, I usually give a 3-count before I open the lens of the camera and expose the plate. Once the lens is opened, the plate is being exposed…regardless of whether or not someone moves. If there is any movement once the plate starts exposing, the image will be blurred. So if you are planning on bringing a young kiddo or your favorite doggo who means more to you than life, please also bring a “it is what it is” approach to the image. There is only 1 attempt. If you are ok with embracing chaos, bring it on. :)

Q: You signed up for a 30 minute session, how many tintypes do you get?

A: ONE! It takes about 15 minutes to make each tintype. Don’t worry. You don’t have to sit still that long. The process generally goes like this:

  1. I get the subject(s) positioned about where I want them for the portrait.

  2. I go into the darkroom to begin coating and sensitizing the metal plate, which usually takes about 3 minutes.

  3. After the plate is sensitized, I bring the plate to the camera.

  4. I will get the subject(s) into the final position to begin the process of actually exposing the plate. At this point, it is important for everyone to remain still. I will load the plate into the camera. The image is ready to be made! I usually give a 3-count after everyone is ready, at which time I will remove the lens cover and fire the flash. When the lens cap comes off, I HAVE to fire the flash. The flash goes off. And…YOU DID IT! You’re done! You just had your image captured in silver and light. You just had an image made that will outlast you and anyone knows you!

  5. Now for the fun part. I will take the plate back into the darkroom where I will develop the image, which takes less than a minute. As the image develops, a negative appears. After stopping the development, the image is no longer light sensitive, and I will bring the negative out of the darkroom for you to see.

  6. There is one more step of changing the negative to a positive, and you will get to watch the magic happen right before your very eyes. Now is good time to bring out that fancy iPhone and take a video of the image as it “fixes” and turns to a positive.

  7. You’re done! After the image fixes, I still have to rinse the plate in water for at least 30-45 minutes. Then the plate has to dry. After the plate dries, I will wax the plate to protect the silver from tarnishing. Then, and only then, is the tintype completely done. Because of the time involved in finishing the tintypes, I take them all home with me at the end of the day and wax them later.

  8. Chill at the house and wait for your heirloom tintype portrait to arrive in the mail a couple of weeks later.

Now you see why there is a 30 minute time slot for your tintype.

Q: Is there a limit to the number of people that can be in the portrait?

A: Yes. As much as I love individual portraits, I understand sometimes people want to include the significant other or the offsprings. Please be aware that the tintype process takes a LOT of light. I use two very powerful lights, and the people directly under the light will be brighter than those on the ends. I would limit the number of people in the photograph as much as possible…3, maybe 4 max. I don’t have the capacity to handle a large group in a studio-portrait type setting.