News
New work, workshop updates and stories from the Tintypeman darkroom.
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A $200 Nagaoka 4×5: The Next Camera Restoration — Part 1
A $200 wooden 4×5 camera begins its restoration journey. In Part 1, I inspect the bellows, worn metalwork and missing focusing parts—and investigate whether it really is a Nagaoka.
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My DIY mobile darkroom for wet plate photography
A tour of my homemade mobile darkroom for wet plate photography: the plywood case, PVC frame, fabric enclosure and practical lessons from taking it on the road.
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What is a tintype? A beginner’s guide
A photograph made directly on a metal plate, with its own silver tones and handmade edges. Start here with the first story from my Beginners Guide to Tintypes series.
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How a tintype is made: from first pour to final plate
Beginners Guide to Tintypes · Part 2 of 3 The moment an image appears is the part everyone wants to see. But that moment depends on everything that happened before it: preparing the plate, coating it evenly, getting the light…
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Your first wetplate workshop: what to expect
Beginners Guide to Tintypes · Part 3 of 3 If you have read about collodion, silver baths and large format cameras and wondered where to begin, start with seeing the process in person. You do not need prior photography experience…
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Restoring the Ross Combination lens
A complete strip-down, severe balsam separation and delicate glass work: bringing my 20-inch / 16-inch Ross Combination lens back together with Canadian balsam. See the restoration photos and watch the full film.