Our approach

A moment in time, preserved in silver, permanently fixed to a solid, real medium.

We are proud to create images the way photographers did 175 years ago. In this digital age, surrounded by the artificial, we strive to capture the world in something unique, real, and tangible. No matter the subject, our pictures are made with the goal of embracing the perfection of imperfection, through this beautiful, imperfect process.

Our mediums

As we continue to be students of historical photography, our offerings will grow! As for now, check out our:

WET PLATE

These images are taken using the classic process from 1848. The light sensitive emulsion is applied, the image taken, and developed in quick succession before the emulsion dries up, hence "Wet Plate". This process requires a portable darkroom on site, along with every chemical necessary for development. Your result is a beautiful metal plate that bears your image!

Wet Plate

DRY PLATE

These images look almost identical to wet plate tintypes, though the chemical process is different. These plates use a dry gelatin-based emulsion, which was developed in the 1870s and became popular by the next decade. Dry plates can be taken and developed anytime! These plates are best used when traveling to multiple locations, or when development on site isn't viable.

Dry Plate

AMBROTYPE

These images can be made using wet or dry plate, rather than a metal plate they are taken on glass! These clear glass photos show up as negatives when held to a white background and positives when held to a black background. A thin layer of a mirror-like black finish called "japanning" is applied to the back of the plate, making the plate a positive. Where photos on metal are mirrored images, ambrotypes are not!

Ambrotype