Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Wet Plate Tintype Photography

MERMAID
 These are 4x5" tintype photographs. Printed on actual pieces of metal. you first have to put a film (collodion) on the metal than soak them in silver nitrate for 5 mins, than expose to light and develop.
TREE

 The are extremely fun but somewhat time consuming. Not like today's digital work! But the details are excellent and the satisfaction of taking photos and developing them yourself is like no other! The smells of all the chemicals can be a tad overwhelming but worth it!

HAYSTACK
This last image is of me with a VERY old (1920's) camera with an even older lens that can be used to take photos with these metal plates. This was the most exciting class I ever took in college, and will go and retake the course again soon, I love working in old and exciting mediums!

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

That sounds like a fun class....but hope you didn't inhale too many chemical fumes ;)

Lostlemonade said...

Way cool photography technique! Glad you know how to maintain what may be a lost art!

Elizabeth said...

I love developing my own picys!! It was very hard for me to go digital!!

Unknown said...

Great post! I did a b&w photo developing course and it sure was fun, but I don't do it anymore (sadly).
That old equipment is a treasure!

Danelle (Indie Game Lover) said...

Sounds like fun although I used to LOVE the smells of the darkroom :)

BorneoBatikraft said...

they definitely look like they have a lot of personality and character compared to a lot of this new digital work! do you actually work with any of the old cameras??

Bella the Bead said...

WOW! Sounds like a fun class!!!

ChloeLoiuise said...

This fascinates me, I don't know much about how photos were made, developed etc. but I love the tintype photography, I didn't know about it before today! thanks :)

Ruth said...

Sounds like alot of fun :)

Anonymous said...

Very cool pics.

Linda B said...

Very cool photos. Comment didn't have a name before, sorry.

Brittany said...

Wow I love all those photographs, great post!

Charlene said...

Very interesting. Fun to know.

delightfulprints said...

What an awesome old camera!

CalliopeCreations said...

Very Cool! I heard that they used to use the tin because the developing compounds were way too caustic for paper.

Love your work. Wear a good professional mask. (That's your mother speaking...too many years of teaching school. LOL)

evey said...

Very beautiful work Bill.

Greenhouse Glassworks said...

Amazing work Bill! Really like the tree. You also took me back to the dark room to the black and white film developing days! Loved it.

Unknown said...

Always a learning experience reading your blog!!

Confused

Confused
one of many shots to come!