Techniques

I got photography class and today we learn how to make Tintypes. This old process was invented in the late 1800's and was one of the photographic processes that made it possible for the general public to have their portrait taken. The Tintype is a positive image on a metal plate. The process is similar to daguerreotypes and ambrotypes, which were positive images on glass that could only be seen if you placed a background such as black velvet behind them, otherwise they were negatives. With most photographic processes the surface you use will be the highlights of your image and the silver emulsion will represent the different shades of black in your image. With a reversal process the support surface has to be painted black first and the light sensitive emulsion that you coat it with will give you the highlights of your image.

With a little time and preparation we turn a classroom into a make-shift dark room.

Oldschool Camera


It's not really Everclear its just the bottle which holds Collodion. Its like the glue that holds the picture together.


Coat the black metal plate with Collodion, turn the lights off and soak the plate in Silver Nitrate for 3 minutes.


Now that the plate is ready, prepare the subject.


Focus and Capture


Pour developer over the top and wait for the picture to appear.


Wash off the developer with distilled water.


Place the plate in Fixer


Wash the fixer off with more distilled water


And you get this. FUCKIN GANGSTA!


Oldschool techniques. Oldschool look.
For more info on Tintypes contact photographer, Allan Barnes - www.allanbarnes.com