The wet collodion method of photography began in the 1860s. It is one of the oldest forms of photography in the world. The photos that this historic method captures directly onto thin metal plates are most commonly known as tintypes. Compared to earlier photographic processes the wet collodion method had a faster processing time, which rendered an image within minutes as opposed to hours in the past. Tintypes became very popular during the middle of the 19th century because it was a quicker and less expensive way for people to have photos of their loved ones taken.
Today, at Ozarks Tintype we use the same chemical process as the early photographers. All of our cameras are authentic historic cameras from the1800s. There is a certain grit about the appearance of a wet collodion photograph that the 160 year old cameras and chemicals are able to draw out of the subject. In the past people called tintypes "soul photos" and it is easy to understand why.
