Tintype Portraits
Preparing for Your Tintype Portrait
A tintype portrait is more than a photograph—it's a handcrafted piece of history. Created using a photographic process that dates back to the 1850s, each tintype is a one-of-a-kind image made entirely by hand. Unlike modern photography, there are no negatives, no duplicates, and no instant results. Every plate is a unique work of art that captures a moment in time much the same way it would have been captured over 150 years ago.
To help you get the most from your session, we've put together a few recommendations about the process, posing, clothing, and preparation.
FAQ
How Does it Work
Tintype photographs are created on metal or glass plates that are hand-coated moments before exposure. The plate is then exposed in the camera and immediately developed in the studio or in a traveling darkroom on location.
Because each image is a direct positive, every tintype is an original. There are no negatives and no exact copies. Once the plate has dried, it can be scanned for sharing or printing, then carefully varnished to protect the image for generations.
When properly coated, varnished, and stored, tintypes have been known to survive for well over a century, making them among the most enduring photographic objects ever created.
Posing
One of the most distinctive aspects of tintype photography is the exposure time. Unlike modern digital cameras that capture an image in a fraction of a second, tintypes require patience and stillness. Exposure times vary depending on lighting conditions. In natural sunlight, exposures can range from 12 to 15 seconds, much as they did during the nineteenth century. During that time, remaining completely still is essential. Even the slightest movement can create blur or softness in the final image.
For studio portraits, I primarily use professional flash lighting and strobes. This approach dramatically shortens the exposure time while preserving the beautiful character of the tintype process. Studio sessions often focus on classic head-and-shoulders portraits and allow for greater comfort while producing exceptionally sharp results.
Clothing
Simple, timeless clothing tends to produce the most striking tintype portraits.
Avoid garments with logos, lettering, or numbers whenever possible, as they will appear reversed in the final image. Clothing with strong patterns can also distract from the portrait itself.
Lighter tones generally photograph best. Solid black clothing can sometimes lose detail and appear overly dense in the finished plate.
Tintypes also render color differently than modern black-and-white photography. Understanding how colors translate can help you choose clothing that photographs beautifully:
• Blues and cool tones often appear very light or washed out.
• Blue and purple fabrics may render as pale gray or nearly white.
• Warm colors such as red, orange, and yellow typically photograph much darker, often appearing medium gray to deep black.
These unique characteristics are part of what gives tintypes their distinctive look and timeless quality.
Makeup
Tintypes respond differently to color than modern photography, especially when it comes to makeup. Blue eyeliner, blue eye shadow, and cool-toned pinks often photograph very lightly or disappear altogether. Makeup that appears natural in everyday life may look far more subtle on a tintype plate.
For those seeking a light, natural appearance in the final portrait, consider applying makeup slightly heavier than you normally would. Defined eyeliner, mascara, and deeper lip tones often photograph beautifully. For a more dramatic look, fuller lashes, stronger contouring, and darker lip colors such as deep red, burgundy, or black can create striking results.
One of the most celebrated qualities of tintypes is the luminous, almost porcelain appearance they can give to skin. To enhance this effect, a very light application of jojoba or olive oil may be applied immediately before the portrait is made. If you have a specific style or vision in mind, I'm happy to discuss it with you before your session. Professional hair and makeup referrals are also available upon request.
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