What is TinType?
Wet Plate Collodion
In short, this is the most honest photo you will ever take.
In the 1800's, when a photographer came to town, people lined up for possibly their first and maybe the ONLY photo ever taken of them in their life. Wet Plate Collodion, or TinType, is the photo process invented in 1851, producing photos made of silver on metal creating a one of a kind family heirloom that will last 175+ years.
Photography was born in 1839. The earliest processes included exposing metals to heated mercury and other dangerous chemistry and one exposure took between 3-15 minutes making it impossible for portraiture. In 1851, English sculptor Frederick Scott Archer invented the collodion process. I've read that photos were being made of Civil War soldiers, who wanted to send them home, but because early processes were done on glass, they could never make it home in one piece. Archer developed a way to shoot them on metal instead. Photos you see of Abraham Lincoln by Matthew Brady were shot on glass using this same process. Many of those photos still exist today. When I say it is the most honest photo you will ever take it's true, No filters, no computers, just who you are.
HOW IT WORKS• Wet plates are handmade, one of a kind images and imperfections are part of it. • Total session time from plate pour to final image is about 15 minutes• When optional, it's best to do without glasses on. Some are UV coated and will look like sunglasses • Finished product is generally 4x5 inches. Larger sizes are available when set up allows • The portrait is done using a high powered flash. • Tin Types must be washed, dried, heated and have laquer applied so plates are not available same day.• Plate shipping is an option for a $5 fee, or pick up/meet up is an option.• Children can be in the photos of course, but please know, that any quick movements can make a blurred image•. Finished image will last 8+ generations.
Mark Cornelison Photographer
