Preparation: The Foundation of the Image

The process begins with preparing the plate. A clean metal plate, such as black sign engraving aluminum, must be ensured to be absolutely clean and free of any dust. The photographer then coats the plate with a thin layer of collodion. This syrupy liquid must be flowed smoothly from corner to corner, with the excess poured back, forming the light-sensitive layer. This must be accomplished quickly to prevent streaks. The coated plate is then allowed to dry for an ideal duration, typically 10 to 30 seconds, depending on environmental factors like temperature and humidity.

Sensitizing and Focusing: Making the Plate Light-Ready

Once coated, the plate is carefully and evenly lowered into a silver nitrate bath. This is the critical step where the plate becomes sensitive to light. Any hesitation during this stage will affect the final result. The plate is left in the bath for a precise amount of time, generally between 3 to 10 minutes, as timing is crucial for proper light response. Before the exposure, the element of focus is paramount. Using an eye loupe or similar aid ensures the focus is critically sharp on the subject’s most important feature, often the eye.

Exposure and Development: The Act of Faith

The sensitized plate is loaded into a light-sealed plate holder and placed into a large-format camera. The exposure is calculated based on available light and subject placement—an act of faith guided by experience, as there is no instant preview. The effective ISO is extremely low, and powerful, controlled lighting is often required. After exposure, the plate is taken to the darkroom for development. Developer is hand-poured completely evenly onto the plate and gently rocked back and forth as the image slowly appears. This development must be timed precisely, usually around 15 seconds, before the plate is rinsed with water to stop the chemical reaction

Fixing and Finishing: Achieving Permanence

The developed plate is then moved to the fixing bath. This process locks the image in place by washing away all unexposed silver, granting the image a sense of permanence. Once the thick white collodion lines are gone from the edges, the plate is carefully rinsed for several minutes to remove all remaining chemicals. Insufficient rinsing can lead to oxidation. Once dry, a protective varnish is applied. The plate is often laid on a low-heat griddle to seal and protect the image, giving it the characteristic deep, glossy finish of a classic tintype. Each finished tintype is a one-of-a-kind, handcrafted object preserved for years to come.