Ashley Jennings of Alchemy Tintype Studio will be popping up in the hotel to make historical tintype photographs!

Invented in the 1860’s, the tintype process was one of the first accessible ways that people could have their photograph made. Each tintype photograph requires the photographer to prepare a metal plate with liquid chemicals, soak it in liquid silver, and then make the photograph in a large format camera before the metal plate dries. Then, that metal plate is taken back into a pop-up darkroom, developed on the spot, and the sitters then get the amazing experience of watching their image magically appear on the tintype plate. While they use modern lighting to make quick exposures as opposed to the 10-40 second exposures of the past, the chemical process is virtually unchanged since 1860, and the process is equally magical. The result is an archival, luminous image on metal which will last for at least 200 years. And, you’ll get a high-res scan to use on social media!

DETAILS:

What you wear and the expression is up to you, but the photographers advise that textures, lace, leather, jean, and patterns generally look great in tintype.

• The process is mirrored, so text on clothing will appear backwards.  

• If you can, avoid wearing blue light blocking glasses, as the process requires the blue wavelength of light to make a proper exposure (in other words, your blue light blocking eyeglasses will look like sunglasses in a tintype.)

• Also be advised that the process doesn’t see red, so your red shirt or lipstick will appear black.

• While your instinct might be to wear all black for a photo, keep in mind that the process relies on a lot of light, and matte black clothing can lack detail in tintypes.

• This process looks best when the framing and lights are close, so consider including 1-2 faces per tintype if possible, and no more than 2 adults and 2 kids.