Tintype Is Not Like Modern Photography

Tintype is a unique medium so it pays to come prepared. Here are a few tips and tricks to make your sitting smooth and stunning.

What to Wear

Tintype responds to colours differently from modern film or digital, so it pays to have a think about what you’re going to wear.

Mid to light blues can be almost white. Reds tend to go black, as can some deeper yellows. Bright whites can burn out and look bland.

But texture is King! Denim, wool, and fabrics like velvet all look great, and messy or unwashed hair also looks fabulous.

Glasses

Modern glasses often have a UV coating, which can sometimes make them look like sunglasses when photographed on tintype. And because we use a lot of light, strong reflections can also be an unpredictable problem.

So, if you’re comfortable, it can be good not to wear your spectacles, or bring frames without glass. And do contact us to discuss if you want to talk it through - we’re both glasses wearers ourselves.

Sunscreen

OK, this is a weird one. Tintype is most sensitive to UV light so, as with glasses, if you’re wearing a lot of sunscreen or makeup that’s heavy on the SPF there’s the chance your skin could look very uneven.

Because of this we recommend staying clear of these products for your sitting.

Our Lighting

Tintype is an old process that needs a lot of light, so our flashes are very bright (the flash itself is one single pop of light, not a repeating strobe).

It’s nothing to be afraid of, but be prepared to know you’ve been photographed!

It Takes a Little Longer

Because we have to make and develop the plate every time we take a shot, the tintype process takes a little longer than modern photography.

We love this part of it, as it gives us time to think and talk about what we’re doing, and really concentrate on the image-making process.

There’s A Short Wait to Get Your Final Images

After you’ve had your picture taken we need to wash, dry, varnish and package the plate so it’s ready for you to take home. This whole process takes around 30 minutes.

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

Tintype was one of the earliest photographic processes, so it has its quirks. Your image may have some imperfections - swirls, soft lines, patches of dark and light (or even, if you’e lucky, a spirit) - but these are all part of the beauty and unpredictabiliity of the experience. We love the thrill of not knowing exactly what we will get - and we know you will too.

Enjoy The Experience!

Having your tintype taken is an experience like nothing else. Our sittings are informal and unhurried, and are often as memorable as the images themselves.

And, as always, if there’s anything you want to discuss before your session just email us at silverstudiostasmania@gmail.com