Does Size Matter?

The Lowdown on Plate Sizes

In wet plate photography, size really does matter. The dimensions of your final plate are determined entirely by the camera you use.For example, if you work with a 4x5 camera, the largest plate available to you, generally, is 4x5 inches. Larger cameras open up more creative possibilities. Some people have made their own massive cameras built out of delivery trucks and do huge 30x34 inch plates! I'm happy working with smaller cameras. 😉

With the addition of a reduction back, an 8x10 view camera can create smaller formats such as 5x7, 4x5, or even multi-exposure plates. A reduction back reduces the image area so you can use smaller plate holders while still benefiting from the large camera’s capabilities.

For my main 8x10 camera, I now have two reduction backs. One produces a full-frame 5x7 plate. The other is a four-position 5x7 back that lets me create four exposures on a single sheet of glass or metal. These new size options expand what clients can choose from during their wet plate session while also expanding new fine art possibilities.

Digital scans are always included in the session fee. If you select the 4-up option, you receive a scan of the full plate along with separate files of each individual image. It is essentially four tintypes in one sitting. Because of the remarkable resolution of the wet plate process, these small exposures digitize beautifully and can be used for print layouts, websites, and social media.

For something unique, I also offer the tiniest of formats, the 35mm gem. This little plate can be crafted into a locket or kept as a personal keepsake that quietly carries its own presence.

If you would like more information about any of these tintype options, you can reach me at [email protected].

Howw Does the 4-up reduction back work?

How Does the 4-up Reduction Back Work?

The process begins at position 1. The plate holder is loaded into the camera back, the sitter is composed, and the darkslide is removed to make the first exposure. Without removing the holder, the reduction back is shifted sideways into position 2 for the second exposure. Then it moves upward into position 3 for the third, and finally slides over to position 4 for the last exposure. Each quadrant of the plate captures its own moment, each frame distinct yet a part of the whole.Because the four exposures are made in quick succession, maintaining precise focus is essential. A head brace or focusing string ensures the sitter remains in focus, preserving clarity and continuity across every section of the plate.Once all exposures are made, the plate is treated exactly like a standard wet plate: developed, washed, and varnished in the usual sequence. The only difference is that four images now share the same plate, each retaining the depth, resolution, and tonal beauty of the wet plate process.

5x7 plate

5x7 plate with 4 images

Images from 4-up plate as individual files