Working across Aotearoa and 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, the photographic plates are individually coated and sensitised in the darkroom before being exposed and developed while wet. Once fixed, washed and dried they are then coated in a gum sandarac varnish that preserves and protects them for generations.
Participating in a tintype session and seeing the alchemic process as images appear 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 and monotony of digital photography, Adrian began taking photographs using the wet plate collodion process in an effort to recreate the aesthetic qualities and characteristics lost with the demise of film. He now works on personal projects and advertising campaigns using wet plate techniques, both in the studio and on-the-road from his mobile darkroom.
For an overview of Adrian's commercial work please visit www.adriancookphotography.com