News

February 10, 2022

Ambrotypes framed in original case

Exposing your precious memories and preserving all the details! Ambrotypes are fine glass works of silver images plated to glass sheets. Our handpoured ambrotypes are made from authentic photographic negatives and exposed by hand in an enlarger.  We do this the slow way so that your images are preserved as precious memories.  Trust your history to the experts in analog processes and fine restoration!

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April 30, 2014

Make mom a gift she will just love!

Mother's Day is right around the corner.  This year give her something other than flowers and chocolate.  Turn her favorite childhood photo of you into a tintype or ambrotype that she will love for a lifetime.

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April 23, 2014

Sittings with Chicago Tintypes

We love making tintypes and especially love the opportunity to take wet plate collodion sittings both on location and in our Chicago studio.  Here is a tintype that was created on location at Northwestern University in Chicago.  The couple were newly engaged and used the tintype as the photograph for their 'save the date' cards.  It was a beautiful location for a lovely couple.  Here's to their bright future!

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Here is a shot of the 'behind the scenes'!

If you want to book your own special tintype sitting in Chicago or on location, email Jen for her availability and more information!  digitaltintypes@gmail.com

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March 18, 2014

Cutting Glass for Ambrotypes

It's all by done by hand!  The trick is really the quality of the cutting tool.  Watch to see just how easy it is to cut your own glass.

March 12, 2014

Ambrotype or Tintype?

We offer two unique ways to create special wet plate collodion photographs from your digital images.  Wet plate collodion photography began in the 1850's and was especially in use during the civil war when Matthew Brady produced thousands of glass plate (ambrotype) photographs as he captured moments instantly that have become a lasting part in the collection of our photographic history.  We create ambrotypes like those of Brady's time, using similar chemical formulas to expose all types of images to glass plates.  These ambrotypes are available in three different color styles, ruby red, cobalt blue, and opaque black.  Tintypes are wet plate collodion images exposed to metal sheets.  Traditionally, tintypes were exposed to black metal sheets.  We offer a twist on the traditional tintype and expose plates in four different metal styles, black, brown, high polish silver, and rose gold. 

wet plate collodion digital tintype ambrotype wet plate collodion from digital how to make a tintypeRuby red, opaque black, and cobalt blue ambrotypes made from digital files.

March 11, 2014

Preparing your digital files for upload

We often get asked the best way to prepare your digital files for upload.  If you are able to edit your images with Photoshop, or a similar photo editing software, there are a few short steps to prepare your digital photographs for best plating.  It is a good idea to take a look at the histogram and see the levels for the highlights and shadows.  Here is an example of an ideal histogram.  The image has a true white point as well as a true black point, with strong mid tones throughout. 

histogram for digital tintypes

We do give each image a once over to check the levels, so if you are uploading a camera phone photograph we will edit the levels slightly as needed.  Contact us if you have any questions about file preparation.

March 06, 2014

Customer reviews of our tintypes

Below are written reviews from our clients about what they think of our work:

I recently purchased a tintype photo for my wife for our tenth wedding anniversary. She loved it, and especially appreciated that it came matted and ready to frame. She framed it right away and it is hanging in our living room. The instructions for caring for and framing the picture were very helpful. I look forward to having this tintype for the rest of our lives.

What a great experience and the photo turned out great! It made a lovely tin anniversary gift for my brother in law. Delivered on time and great service all the day around. Great with questions too!

I ordered a 5x7 as a gift for my sister. She was ecstatic upon receipt. Well done! Jen contacted me about a different ship to address i used and included a nice gift message for me, and mailed the invoice to me. Makes wonderful gifts! Highly recommended - this is my second order of more to come!