Tintypes & Ambrotypes

Honest Portraits ~ Historic Methods

Are You Ready?

Gettin the most out of your session

Preparing for Your Session

A Briefing on Light, Chemistry, and Presence

A wet plate session is a deliberate collaboration. Unlike modern photography, the collodion process sees the world differently. It is sensitive to blue and ultraviolet light but blind to red. To get the most from your plate, it is important to understand how the chemistry reacts to texture, tone, and color.

The Physics of Color and Makeup

Wet plate chemistry is orthochromatic, which means colors translate into tones in unexpected ways. Think of the silent movie era: reds photograph nearly black, while blues can appear ghostly pale.Skin: Aim for a matte finish. Avoid SPF, shimmers, or reflective products, because the studio lights will turn these into bright glares in the portrait. A light dusting of neutral powder is highly recommended for everyone to reduce highlights on the forehead and nose.Eyes and Lips: Red lipstick will appear black. Opt for nudes or berries for a natural look. Since blue eyes can photograph very light, subtle eyeliner helps maintain their presence on the plate.Facial Hair: The process is exceptionally honest with texture. Beards and mustaches photograph with incredible detail but can appear darker than in person. Use matte grooming products only. Oils and shines will reflect the light harshly, unless that is the desired look, think Errol Flynn..

Clothing and Texture

In wet plate, texture rules! The goal is to give the light something to grip.Fabrics: Natural fibers like linen, wool, heavy cotton, and silk render with far more character than synthetics. Lace, embroidery, and knits add depth and soul to the image.Tones: Mid-tones such as greys, tans, and muted blues strike the best balance. Pure white can blow out and lose detail, while solid black can blend into the shadows.What to Avoid: Steer clear of bold modern prints, visible logos, or neon colors. These anchor the image too firmly in the present and distract from the character of the sitter. Logos and text will also render reversed.Eyeglasses: If possible, consider a plate without glasses. Often the lenses are UV coated which makes the glasses look like sunglasses. Reflections of the studio lights can be minimized through careful posing if glasses are essential to your identity.

The Hair

The chemistry loves shape. Hair that has movement or texture catches the light better than a perfectly slicked style.The Approach: Don't aim for precision; aim for what is real. A few stray hairs or a natural wave add life and authenticity to the final plate. Avoid heavy gels or high-shine sprays.

The Final Artifact

The plate you watch emerge in the fixer tray is not yet finished. Each plate must be thoroughly washed, dried, and protected with a hand-poured sandarac varnish to ensure it lasts for centuries.Local Clients: Your plate will be ready for pickup in approximately one week.Out-of-Town Clients: I offer an expedited turnaround (often 24 to 48 hours) depending on the weather and drying conditions. Please let me know your travel schedule in advance.

A Note on Presence

You are not here to perform or pose. My role is to manage the chemistry and the light. Your role is simply to be present. We will take the time needed to let the noise fall away before the shutter is tripped.

Let's Connect

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