Tintype Pop-Up with D. Anson Brody
Sunday, Nov. 24 | 10:00am ET (9:00am CT)
Artphotography
What is a tintype? One of the earliest photographic methods, dating back to the 1850s, a tintype is a direct positive image, exposed through a wet chemical process directly onto a thin piece of metal.
The large format camera and antique lens provides a romantic effect, while the characteristics of the chemical process add artifacts and uniqueness. The finished product is a tangible metal plate with the image composed of the contrast between the black metal, and the highlights made of pure metallic silver.
Appointments begin at 10am ET; taken through 6pm ET. Book your session here.
FAQs
Can my significant other/friend/kids/pets be in the portrait?
Of course, though I’m limiting to two subjects per photo due to lighting limitations, three MAX. If you'd like to do a bigger group we can set that up for another date. Some other things to keep in mind, oftentimes younger children and pets show up blurry due to the very thin focus (depth of field) and sometimes they're really not co-operative with the needs of the process on the day. The flash may also scare pets or young children, though most don't seem to mind much.
How long are the sessions?
It takes a total of 20 min from start to finish. The wetplate process is a lot slower than what we are used to with digital photography, but the results are well worth the time and care.
Can I get my tintype retaken?
We’ll take our time because we only get one take. I can only retake the photo if there is something wrong with the exposure or the chemistry.
Do I get to keep my tintype the day of the session?
No, but I will be developing on site (it’s a cool process, you can watch!) so you’ll get to see it right away. Then I’ll take it with me to the studio, wash, scan and varnish it. You can expect a digital file within 3-5 days of your session and the physical plate within 10-15 days of your session. You can pickup your plate from the Acorn or I can ship your plate directly to your address for $5.
What size will my tintype be?
They are 5x7.
What should I wear?
It’s important to be comfortable and to wear something that you feel represents who you are, but there are certain colors that develop best in portraits. Avoid wearing bright white or all black- in between tones are best. Textures look great! For those wondering about makeup, avoid purples and bright pink or fuchsia lipsticks- unfortunately, these show up white. True reds show up as black so they're to be avoided and if you can use a base makeup without sunblock that will help. Glasses also don’t typically translate correctly. Most times, there’s a lot of glare or they look like sunglasses. You are welcome to wear your glasses but I can’t retake if you don’t like how they turn out. Alternatively, you can pop the lenses out.
Can I dress up?
Absolutely, I do have to work quickly to keep on schedule, so please be photo ready at your appointed time.
Am I standing still for a long time?
Kind of, Most shots only require you to hold perfectly steady for 2-6 seconds. It will be important to stay as still as possible during that time to ensure that your photos don’t develop blurry. I’ll use a flash but I’ll still need you to hold as steady as possible to ensure a crisp photo.
Can I smile?
Yes, I find that a relaxed smile with no teeth is really nice. People in the era this is from didn't smile for photos, that was a trend that came later in the 1920's
What part of me is in the photo?
Waist up, or just head and shoulders. This has to do with the lighting I can bring.
