The Process

The wet plate collodion process was developed in the 1850's and is most often associated with that era. In spite of its old-timey reputation it continues to be an extremely viable and exciting method of making an image that possesses an inherently unique beauty of its own. With its extraordinary detail and resolution, the clarity and luminosity of a tintype can often have the viewer wondering if a bit of the sitter's soul was indeed captured in the image.

This process resonates with me because it allows me to entertain my inner photo-craftsman, as well as my curious people-watching sociologist and my repressed mad-scientist. Part photography, part alchemy, with a touch of dexterity and finesse, the tintype process is one of the most complex photographic processes. Each picture requires a plate to be prepared shortly before exposure, shot while still wet, and developed immediately afterwards, all the while managing an endless string of variables. Because of the involved nature of the process, the pace of your shoot will be slower than a typical digital shoot, though the necessary steps along the way (which you are welcome to observe) will add to your experience and allow for a deeper appreciation for the process and for your final image.