Wet plate collodion tintypes

This photographic process was first discovered in 1851 with the initial chemical recipes and procedures made public by Sir Fredrick Scott Archer. This is arguably the very beginning of photography as we know it, as it was the main technique in image making throughout the 19th century and led to the inventions of most modern imaging technologies today.

This process uses multiple chemical reactions to create a light sensitive plate on which an image can be formed. Once the plate has been exposed to the image in a camera, it then must undergo several more chemical reactions to fully develop, fix, and protect it for archivability. It is a complex and challenging process that must be done in a short amount of time without allowing the plate to dry.

The finished result is an image made of pure metallic silver on the original metal or glass plate. As long as it is properly cared for, these plates will last indefinitely. These one-of-a-kind heirlooms are thoughtfully created with the intention that they will be treasured keepsakes for future generations.