Tintypes
If you’re looking for old photos, tintypes may be what you’re after. Tintypes were produced in the 1850s and 1860s, and they were one of the earliest forms of photography.
They were inexpensive and fast to produce. They were also durable and portable. The process was less formal than other forms of photography.
There are two main types of tintypes, dry-plate and wet-plate. Dry-plate is a gelatin photographic emulsion, while wet-plate is a collodion emulsion.
Regardless of which type you choose, you’ll need to take a few steps before you can start identifying the photos. First, you’ll want to scan the image for any information that you can use to help you identify the photo.
Second, you’ll need to look for clues in the clothing of the subjects in the photograph. For example, if you notice a fichu collar on the mother’s dress in the photo, that might suggest that the photo was taken in the 1880s.
Finally, you’ll need to check the exposure time of the photo. Most tintypes will use less than half of their contrast range. This is because the image is underexposed and covered with a dark lacquer.
A good place to start is with 8 to 20 second exposures. You might need to do a little trial and error to figure out the exact time of the exposure.
Tintypes are usually sold in batches of at least three, so if you find a picture that you like, you can buy the entire batch. In the late 1800s, tintypes were commonly sold in bundles of twelve. Today, you can find tintypes for sale in bulk at auctions or through eBay.
You can get a good idea of the value of your tintype by checking out the eBay price. Generally, a single picture will cost between $5 and $10. But you can purchase a pile of tintypes for a fraction of the price.
Tintypes were one of the most popular forms of photographs during the 1860s and 1930s. Because they were so affordable, people could easily send photos home to their families. During the Civil War, tintypes were used to document the soldiers on the battlefield.
Ambrotypes
The ambrotype is a photographic process developed in the 1850s. It was created on a glass plate that had been coated with a light-sensitive substance. This allowed the image to be seen without tilting the glass.
The ambrotype was a popular portraiture method for many years. Although it was less expensive to produce, it was not as detailed as the daguerreotype, and its light and shadow was not quite as sharp. Ambrotypes were also susceptible to deterioration, mainly due to humidity, high temperatures, and pollutants.
An ambrotype can be recognized by the back of the photo, a dark backing, and a magnet. In addition, tintypes are flat and lack a mirror-like finish. Tintypes are sometimes tinted to add a richer look to the picture.
The ambrotype was invented by Englishman Frederick Scott Archer in 1851. He patented the process in the USA in 1854. The ambrotype became the successor to the daguerreotype.
The process was faster and cheaper than the daguerreotype. It was also able to create a more accurate image, but it did not have the tonal range of the daguerreotype.
Many ambrotypes were sold in attractive frames and were housed in decorative presentation cases. They were sometimes housed in small hinged cases. Some cases were made of wood or thermoplastic, and others were decorated with calligraphy.
While the ambrotype was a popular form of portraiture for many years, it was eclipsed by a newer type of photographic technique in the 1860s. This new process, the tintype, was similar to the ambrotype in that it was made on a glass plate, but the tintype lacked the mirror-like finish of the ambrotype.
Both types of photographs are rare and hard to replicate. However, ambrotypes are still used by many photographers to demonstrate their work. Old photos of ambrotypes are still available in the antique market, and collectors will be happy to find a good example of one.
Ideally, ambrotypes should be stored in an acid-free tissue inside a folding box. They should be kept away from heat, humidity, and pollutants.
