ABOUT THE TINTYPE PROCESS

Introduced in 1851, Wet-Plate involves coating an enameled metal or glass plate with a collodion mixture, which is then sensitized, exposed and processed – all within a few minutes and while the plate is still wet. Tintypes are black enameled metal plates, which yield one-of-a-kind positive images shot directly in the camera. They are capable of rendering exceptional detail and extraordinary subtlety in tone. Positive plates have beautiful, milky-metallic quality and should be seen firsthand to be truly appreciated. Ambrotypes are wet-plate collodion images made on glass plates, they appear as negatives, and can be enlarged in a traditional black and white darkroom. However, if the Ambrotype were painted black or placed over a black background, it would appear as a positive image.

Overview of process steps:

• Plate is coated with a prepared collodion mixture.
• Coated plate is sensitized in silver nitrate bath.
• Plate is loaded into plate-holder (while still wet) and exposed using a view camera.
• Plate is returned to the darkroom where it is developed, fixed and washed.
• Later, when it has dried, the plate may be varnished to protect against oxidation.

Total elapsed time: Less than 10 minutes from uncoated plate to finished image!

FAQ’S

WHAT IS COLLODION?
Collodion (also called Pyroxylin or Nitrocellulose) is nitrated cellulose fiber, which has been dissolved into a solution of ethyl ether and alcohol. It is a clear, syrupy liquid and once the solvents have evaporated it becomes a clear, flexible, plastic-like film. It serves as the “goo” that holds the photo-sensitive salts in solution and keeps them stuck to the plate, in much the same way as gelatin does in common film and photo paper emulsions.

WHY IS IT CALLED A “WET-PLATE”?
The materials used in this process lose most of their sensitivity to light once they have dried. So, all processing steps must be carried out while the plate is freshly prepared and still wet.
DO I HAVE TO BE NEAR A DARKROOM TO MAKE WET-PLATE IMAGES?
Yes. Your camera can never be more that a few minutes away from the darkroom, otherwise the plate will begin to dry. However, a “darkroom” can be something as simple as a small, lightproof tent or even a box with armholes (like those in a sheet film loading tent).

CAN I MAKE PRINTS FROM MY WET-PLATE IMAGES?
Yes and no. If you make an image on a clear glass plate, it can be printed as you would any other negative. However, plates to be used as negatives will need more density and contrast than would be desirable for a plate made for positive viewing. So, even though the processing method is essentially the same, you should decide beforehand whether you want a positive or a negative plate.

CAN I PRINT ONTO COLLODION PLATES USING AN ENLARGER?
Yes. If you want to end up with a positive-image plate, you will need to put a positive transparency in the enlarger. Exposure times are long, but not unmanageable.