In preparation for the Halloween TFP I offer these tidbits of information. The goal is to help us plan and to ensure we have a great session together!
We’ll have time to make maybe 3 good images so its we’ll chat about what we want to do so we can use our short time together well. You will receive both digital copies of the image and the glass or metal plates we create. The exception would be if we create something that might sell for big bucks then we’ll try and sell it and you will get a commission.
My purpose & goals: 1) Have fun creating together in a safe and positive environment, 2) Create beautiful art images that have lasting value in our lives, 3) End up with images that I can use for my portfolio to attract more paying customers and add to my future book of wet plate portraits.
I am open to a wide range of creative styles and themes. I like something more gothic / romantic / visually stunning as opposed to graphic or violent. Of course nothing demeaning to the model or others!
Wet Plate Collodion Background: One of the first photography processes and dates to 1851. If you see a photo from the mid to late 1800’s it probably was made this way. The name comes from the fact that the image has to be created while the plate is still damp from the silver bath – you have about 10 minutes. The images are made on either metal plates – we use aluminum, or sheets of glass. We’ll be doing both at the meet.
Collodion images are pure silver and render colors a bit differently than film. Blue comes out white and orange comes out black. Red lipstick will make your lips black in the photo. Here is a wet plate photograph of a color wheel to help guide you…
I will need a signed model release from each model. My release is industry standard and you can download a copy and review: Model Release I will bring copies to the meet. The purpose of the release is so I can use images on my website and business. All images will be used in a respectful manner and with credit to the model. Models will receive digital scans that can be used for social and portfolio and other uses that we can discuss.
We will be doing 6×8, 8×10 and 10×12 inch photos on aluminum. We will make some images on glass plates too! I will give you some/all of the finished images. We might decide to offer some for sale – I share a commission with the model if we sell anything.
It take 10 minutes or so to make each photo – the actual posing time is only a few seconds, and the rest is making the plate and developing
As a relatively slow/calm part of your day it is a good opportunity to chill a bit or maybe have a snack!
All models will receive the original images we make – we’ll mail them out in a week or so (they have to be washed, dried and varnished) So we’ll need a mailing address to ship – unless you are going to be in the Neenah area to pick your images up
We’ll also do a digital scan of each plate for your social or portfolio – we will need a email contact to send the links
My little red darkroom trailer will be parked close to the sets. I need the darkroom for preparation and developing each plate
The developing step is really cool and people often bring their cell phone or camera to get pictures or video!
I plan on doing some BTS video and pictures. Customers like to see the videos so it helps with business. Let me know if you don’t want any video – or if you want something special on video.. everything is possible!
Here is an example of a tintype headshot – a 5×7 from our September Popup in Madison
Here is a tintype from last Fall’s open access day, Kara in a triple exposure
A recent tintype of Brittany – experimenting with flash lighting at night.
Here is a video of the “fixing” of a tintype from the Spring TFP. Fixing is the last step to develop the image and it is always exciting to see the image emerge!
Here is set of Victorian era Inspiration Tintypes (not ours but thematically images we love)
Here is our current schedule
11:00 – 12:00 Aryn Scoville
12:00 – 1:00 Carolyn
1:00 – 2:00 Kat & Brett & Set up time
2:00 – 3:00 Clare
3:00 – 4:00 Youstycia Gorka
4:00 – 5:00 Bre Lynn & Set up time
5:00 – 6:00 Kale Sprout
6:00 – 7:00 Samantha DeRose
My red trailer will be parked close to the sets so I should be easy to find.