Working across New Zealand and Sydney, Australia, Tintype Central is a portrait studio specialising in the wet plate collodion process, a 19th-century method of development that predates film photography. Each image is hand-crafted, producing a one-of-a-kind direct-positive image on glass or aluminium.
THE PROCESS
Using equipment and techniques developed during the 1850’s, each photographic plate is individually coated and sensitised in the darkroom, then exposed and developed while still wet. Once fixed, washed and dried, it is finished with a gum sandarac varnish to preserve and protect the image for generations.
Participating in a tintype (wet plate collodion) portrait session and witnessing the alchemic process as the image appears on the plate is captivating; an experience that few people now have the opportunity to witness. At the end of the session, you will leave with a unique and original hand-made portrait and a complimentary digital file of your image.
HAVE DARKROOM WILL TRAVEL
In Aotearoa, our mobile darkroom is a 1950's bondwood caravan that has been specifically designed for shooting wet plate portraits and landscapes on location. We are primarily based in Te Aroha, though you’ll also find us touring the country, capturing portraits and landscapes along the way.
THE PHOTOGRAPHER
Adrian Cook is an award-winning portrait and documentary photographer.
Uninspired by the predictability of digital photography, Adrian works with the historic wet plate collodion process, embracing its materiality, imperfection and permanence. His practice explores the unique aesthetic qualities of the medium, creating singular, hand-crafted images through both personal work and commissioned projects.
Working between the studio and his mobile darkroom, his work draws on processes and techniques largely unchanged since the 19th century.
For an overview of Adrian's commercial work please visit www.adriancookphotography.com