Tintype Parlor = Faux Vintage Fun
June 1, 2007
Holy beautiful anachronism, Batman! I just learned you can buy a kit and make your own tintype photographs. It’s called “Tintype Parlor” and here’s the description:
An authentic re-creation of the tintype process, a type of “instant” photography that was popular in your great-grandparent’s day. These are authentic dry-plate tintypes, also known as ferrotypes, like those found in antique shops– not modern imitations. Plates are thin enough to cut with scissors to fit inside any camera. The kit contains everything you need to make tintypes (called ambrotypes if coated on glass.)“Tintype Parlor” contains 5 metal plates size 4×5 inches plus emulsion, tintype reversal developer and fixer…….. $30.00
Let’s make a pact to create faux vintage tintypes. We’ll confound future generations with 2007 tintypes of iPods, 8-tracks and steampunk computers. C’mon, it’ll make a great bit on Antiques Roadshow someday.
For definitions of tintypes and ambrotypes, choose a source: SAA Glossary; Wikipedia; Antiques Roadshow.
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Comments
2 Responses to “Tintype Parlor = Faux Vintage Fun”
What a great idea! I love the idea of contemporary people and things rendered in tintype, and the confusion it might cause later.
I wonder about the exposure time – is it only good for composed portraits rather than faster moving, more fleeting subjects?
Plus, no matter how small you can cut the plates, I still don’t think I’ll fit one in my digital point’n’shooter!
Maybe I should make a pinhole camera . . .
On that subject, I found a link for a pdf you could download of a fabulous cut and paste pinhole camera – will report back when I find it again!
OK, I’ve found it. Courtesy of the excellent Photojojo blog, there are several DIY camera project links there, including one made of a Spam can (the Spamera!)
http://photojojo.com/content/diy/pinhole-cameras-paper-altoids-spam/