Tintype Pop Ups
What is a tintype?
A tintype is a vintage photographic art from the civil war time period. This process pre-dates film. It is a slow photography process with exposures taking a few seconds rather than fractions of a second. A tintype will last for 150+ years and each tintype is one of a kind.
How is a tintype made?
Also called ‘wet plate’, a liquid “film” is poured onto a metal or glass plate and placed into a liquid silver nitrate bath. After 5 minutes the plate is placed into a light safe cartridge in a darkroom. The cartridge is then placed into the camera and the photograph is made. Next, the cartridge is removed from the camera and the plate is developed in a darkroom. After development the image appears faintly. It is placed into a fixing solution where the positive image becomes visible. The plate is then washed in distilled water and allowed to dry. Finally, a special protective varnish is put on the plate. Once the varnish has set, I scan the tintype and email you a digital file. I then put your tintype photograph into the mail or deliver in person if local.
It creates a one of a kind heirloom photograph.
What to know before having your portrait taken:
Colors read differently on tintype than on regular black and white photography. The chemistry does not recognize blue. Cool tones will appear light gray, while blue and purples appear very light, almost white.
The image will be mirrored. I recommend wearing clothing without visible logos so you don’t have backwards wording on your shirt for your photo :)
It’s important to stay as still as possible once in front of the camera with the image focused. This is for two reasons. The first, the exposure may be a few seconds depending on lighting and any movement will create a blurry image. The second, the kind of camera being used has a very shallow depth of field, meaning if you move after the camera has been focused on you, you may not be perfectly sharp when I make the exposure.
How do I display a tintype?
Plate is thin enough to fit into a regular photo frame.
You can purchase a wood or 3-D printed stand for tintype or other types of prints to stand it up.
Tintypes must be coated with a special varnish after they dry, you will not be able to take home your tintype the same day as your session. Instead, you will receive it one week later and will also receive a scan of your image to share or use digitally wherever you would like.
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Sign up to be notified first about up coming tintype portrait pop-up sessions! You'll receive an email in the new year with details about how to sign up.