Friday, March 23, 2018

Student Reflections on Tintype Studio

"Tin type is an old photography format in which the user uses a series of steps to create an image on hard metal. We made our tin types out of aluminum. We first coated the aluminum plates in Collodion. from there we placed the plate in a silver bath of silver nitrate. Once the plate was prepped we used a Holga. After using the Holga to expose the plate, you then go back to the dark room and coat the plate in developer and rinse. Then you put it in the fixer to turn it from a negative to a positive. Next you soak it in water for about 30 and let it dry. Finally when it's dry you varnish it.
For this project I wanted to continue the concept that people are people. I will do this by taking a series of portraits in a similar setting in different positions. This medium is perfect since tintypes have various imperfections that can not be duplicated similarly to that of humans.
THE PROCESS
I started making my tintypes and found out it is not hard but it is not easy either. For starters DO NOT HAVE YOUR SUBJECT LOOK UP IN THE GENERAL DIRECTION OF THE CAMERA. It simply does not work, they look just ghastly(literally). It is also a good idea to not use people who move, laugh or smile. A person has to hold PERFECTLY still for 30 seconds if you're indoors, do not pick some one who will move. I also learned courtesy of one of my friends in the photos that I look quite dorky while doing this. I learned quite a bit. I also learned that when you are double checking where your camera is positioned take off your goggles so that a) you can actually see through the sight and b) so you don't bump the camera while trying." - E.H.

"Before taking this class, I thought all images were just printed electronically now. But first during the cyanotype lesson and now during the tintype lesson I learned how developing images with chemicals works. It's actually really cool and interesting to me because I like both chemistry and photography. It was most fascinating to me how the images just turn from negative to positive in the liquid while they're being developed. It's interesting that you just need chemicals and certain light to develop a tintype. I also really liked the ones Patrick Andrade did on blue glass." S.F.

"I learned that you can make tin types not only on aluminum, but on glass or blue glass. I learned how to make a tin type and the steps of making a tin type and that all the materials are wet when creating these photos. I felt like his photos of the solar eclipse were the most interesting. He was able to put 5 different pictures of the moon onto one tin type and he mentioned that with the wind, the liquid moved and created a cloud like affect on the photo. His portrait's were also very interesting and the way he posed the models. Most of the models had a serious look on their faces but some smiled. It is cool that he is able to take tin types with an immediate flash so that the models don't have to hold a smile for a long time." T.S.

"I learned that you can use glass for tintypes as well as aluminum.

I learned the steps of making a tintype and that all the materials are wet when creating these photos;
Step 1- Coat the plate
Step 2- Silver Nitrate Bath
Step 3- Take the picture: models need to be still
Step 4- Take photo to the dark room
Step 5- Cover in developer
Step 6- Fix

I was fascinated by all of Patrick's tintypes that he brought in to show us. I loved the tintypes of the Ram, the solar eclipse and the three girls." A.T.

"The day that Ms. Rapp mentioned that a photographer named Patrick Andrade was going to come to the class to show us how to make tintype, it seemed like a good opportunity to try something new in photography class, and to use a method that has been used for a long time. At first he showed us his work and it's really good. I find it incredible that he is able to capture incredible scenes and apparently has a great love for what he does. Silvia and I were the first to pass and try to make a tintype. At first it seemed very difficult and we hesitated whether to participate or not. We put all the protection on to avoid any accidents and I was very surprised by the fact that Patrick Andrade spoke Spanish. I thought it was great that he tried to explain each step with words in Spanish and that the process was even easier. I learned many things that for a long time I had doubts and I really wanted to try, for example you have to use a special camera to take photos and some other specific things. It was fascinating the fact that it's more simple than I thought. Now I have more knowledge about photography and an incredible experience." D.G.U.

"I learned that you need to be still when the person is taking the picture. Usually the person has a serious face rather than smiling. There is also a head rester that the person can rest their head on and it makes it easier to hold the position. The thing that was most fascinating was the eclipse tintype because there is a process behind the picture. It looks very cool, he had to make a picture then wait like 1 minute and take the other and so on. " E.C.

"I really did not expect tintype to be so fun. I really liked that moment when my friend and I were learning how. The photographer is an excellent person that can explain very well. Before doing this I was a little nervous. But after patrick Andrade explained how to do it I felt very excited to be able to create tintypes. I am also very grateful to my teacher for giving me the opportunity to do this." S.V.P.

"I learned that when taking tintypes, the amount of time the subject needs to sit still depends on the light coming in. The less the light, the longer you need to take it, and have the subject sit still. The more light you have, the quicker the image will be reflected and taken. It was super fascinating seeing Patrick's work and personally hearing what he likes best about it and which images were his favorite." A.S.

"I learned that tin types are absolutely wild, because I didn't think that they involved chemistry related things, but they definitely do. I think the chemistry part is the most fascinating because I really love chemistry, it's like my favorite subject so to mix chemistry with photography, which I also love, is a super cool thing." A.M.

"What I learned was that making tintypes can be a long and tedious process and you never know what you are going to get, but the outcome can turn out really cool. You can also print your photos on to different plates, like aluminum or different colors of glass. The most fascinating thing to me was the grim and old look the pictures gave to the subject and the photo itself." G.W.

"I learned that you can't move when someone is going to take a picture of you. Some people prefer having a serious face instead of smiling in the picture. You only have one pose and that's it. There is a chemical that you cover the tintype in. What was most fascinating was the eclipse tintype because he took off and on the lens for 2 seconds every minute and 20 seconds which captured the movement of the sun. The eclipse went in a straight line and it looks very cool." C.G.

"During the past couple lessons, I learned much about a type of photography I never knew about. I learned about the original "camera" and how it reflected the scenery just from a little hole in a closed off room. I also learned about how tintypes are made and how it's actually very close to chemistry in it's own respect. The most fascinating thing has to be when Patrick Andrade showed the class all of his photos. I never thought to take pictures besides portraits with a tintype." B.T.

"I really enjoyed seeing all of Patrick Andrade's photography, and the boxes he made for the tintypes. I loved learning how to make them, and my picture turned out so cool! The experience was really fun, and I learned so much from him. The hands on experience was definitely the best part." S.R.

Patrick Andrade & The Tintype Studio!

The photography students of Littleton High School are so appreciative of the Littleton Public Schools Foundation grant!
Today, Patrick Andrade, of Relic Fine Art, visited our classroom and demonstrated the tintype technique. Students had fun creating their own tintypes, and learning about the history of photography! It was a fabulous hands-on learning experience! Thank you Patrick Andrade and Littleton Public Schools Foundation!