ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW TO START MAKING TINTYPES
The Tintype Studio offers one-day workshops which teach the Victorian, wet-plate collodion process from start to finish. Learn how to flow and then sensitise a metal plate in the darkroom. Frame and focus your picture on a vintage camera and then insert the plate to make the image. Watch as your image on a sheet of blackened aluminium emerges as a negative in the darkroom and then transforms into a one-off positive image in the fixing bath.
All materials are included and at the end of the day, you will walk away with your own tintype.
Taking you through the process step by step
The process of making tintypes is hugely satisfying, both to experienced photographers and to people who are fascinated by image making. James takes you through each part of the process and by the end of the day, you’ll have the confidence to start making your own plates.
WHAT THE DAY INVOLVES
We start with a history of tintypes, then we take you through all the parts of the process; flowing the plate, to taking the picture, developing the shot in the darkroom through to fixing the image and then varnishing.
Once you’ve got the hang of it, you will get to make the plate yourself. Our studio is equipped with a variety of lighting rigs which you’ll be free to explore and experiment with. We be using both large and medium format cameras.
We rotate roles with someone working the darkroom, taking the pictures, on lighting and a person posing so everyone gets the chance to learn each part of the process, including being on the other side of the lens.
The tintype plates drying in the rack before varnishing
limited numbers
For students to get the most from the day; we limit each workshop to a maximum of three people. This makes sure that everyone gets a chance to explore the various elements to the process. It also allows everyone to have themselves immortalised in a tintype.
Experiment with a number of antique cameras including ‘Hilda’ our 12x16inch Kodak.
take away your work
Towards the end of the day, you will be taught how to preserve your images with varnish. Once dried you will be able to take away the pictures which have been made during the day.
“The best photography workshop I have done, by a long way.
James was very welcoming and friendly; he provided excellent guidance through the whole process of wet plate photography (and also an excellent lunch).
By the end of the day I had a good understanding of how to make tin type photos and the beginnings of an ether habit. I would unhesitatingly recommend this to anyone interested in photography or in fact anyone at all - as an introductory day of creative practice it would be very hard to find anything better.”
learn from the team who have taught
