I've always had a thing for tintypes. Invented in 1853, these early photographs are created by coating a sheet of iron in photographic emulsion. The unique image created is backwards (what you would see in a mirror), leading subjects to find their faces more familiar than in normal photos. Early photographers would set up at fairs as tintypes can be produced quickly and the process does not require studio lighting. I'm so thrilled that this tradition is continuing with The Tintype Studio, most recently found in a backyard on Palmerston.
Miles Collyer, Stu Sakai, Paul Sergeant and Greg Snow are the men behind the tintypes. Former classmates, each has a key role in the process. They work efficiently, almost magically, to turn raw chemicals into an image. We spent the afternoon watching the action and enjoying the delight of the subjects as the exposed plates emerged from the makeshift darkroom.
Although photos are snapped more than ever, very few are actually printed into a tangible form. It's a pleasure to hold a photograph, doubly so in the case of tintypes as the metal lends a rich texture and ethereal quality to the image. You'll next find The Tintype Studio at the Junction Flea, this Sunday July 8th. Not to be missed.
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