INFO
Each one-of-a-kind Magnolia Tintype plate is a result of silver crystals activated by UV light from your reflection. The sensitized silver crystals turn bright after developing on the aluminum plate. Once they are varnished in lavender oil, the images can last over 300 years. The plates are a durable keepsake, and make for a near-permanent memory.
Before the plates are varnished, we digitally scan them at high resolution, so you can share them immediately.
The camera
Each exposure of a tintype image in natural light lasts between 8 and 10 seconds.
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The vintage British lens is circa 1870; light has passed through the hand-polished glass for nearly 150 years.
In-Frame
When you pose for 8-10 seconds, you begin to appreciate why people rarely smiled in vintage tintypes. You can breathe (softly) and blink. While you wait for the plate to sensitize, will take a full-color digital scan of your image and send the file to you.
Silver-Plated
You don’t have to dress in period attire to make your tintype look like it’s from the past. Note that tintypes appear flipped, so logos and text will read backwards. After varnishing, the plates take 3 days to cure, and will be delivered to you via mail.
Pro-Artifact
Before they are varnished, tintypes are very fragile and often collect natural artifacts during development. You get to decide if you would like your plates to be mostly free from artifacts or full of them. The choice is yours.
Magnolia Tintype Co.
magnoliatintypeco@gmail.com
A full-service portrait company, offering hand-developed tintypes taken in natural light.