Ryan's Commercial Photography Blog: 2017

History and Process of the Tintype

Tintype photographs are made by creating a direct positive on a thin sheet of metal coated with a dark lacquer or enamel. Tintypes were most popular in the 1860s and 70s and slowly died until now, where they are considered a novelty. At first they were made in professional photography studios but as they became more popular people began to develop these photographs at fairs and carnivals. Tintypes could be taken and handed to the customer within a few minutes. It was the photography type that saw the widest variety of subjects and settings than any other type. During the civil war the tintype was used to take pictures of many soldiers and battles. It was used to document very important parts of history. When the albumen print was introduced it began to lose its popularity, but it survived as a carnival novelty. Tintypes were studier photographs due to their iron support. These photographs did not need to be framed because of this sturdiness.

When making a tintype there is a set of steps you must follow. The first step to making your tintype is to clean the plate. To do this you take the collodion and pour it onto the metal plate. The second step is to soak the plate in a silver nitrate mix. You leave the plate in the mix for about 3 minutes so that the plate will become light sensitive. After the plate is ready you take it to the camera. Put the plate in the film holder and make sure the plate is light locked where light will not get to it. Once you take the image you are now ready to develop your plate. To do this go to the darkroom and cover your plate in developer. Once the developer is on rock the plate back and forth for about 15 seconds. After your image is visible wash the developer off and thats it. You have now developed your own tintype.

Well balanced photo and nice clear shot of nature.

Crazy and confusing photo which makes you curious what is going on.

Photo is very focused on the tree and the plants everything else is blurred or blacked. Makes photo interesting.

The first tintype taken with a drone. Just a unique photo.

Interesting over-ish exposed photo with a patriotic background which makes you wonder who she is.

An old photo of a boat which shows maybe an important moment in history.

Cute picture of a dog because who doesn't love dogs.

Creepy and cute photo of a doll makes an interesting combination.

Cool picture of two surfers. I like the background and how clear the subjects are.

A cat picture was necessary for the same reason a dog picture was.

I would like Bella to be in my tintype. Maybe I could have her sitting on a chair or just standing. She could be wearing something she normally does because it would fit the style of the tintype.