Victorian Photography Studio

Wet Plates Tin Types/Glass Plates

Collodion/Wet-Plate Photography as we have come to know it today. Was invented in 1851 by a gentleman by the name of Fredrick S. Archer. This process was invented to allow images to be made on glass and multiple copies then could be made from the same plate. In 1856 the Tin Type process was added, allowing Collodian images to be made on thin sheets of metal.

The unique thing about this process is that the Plate must remain wet prior to being sensitized and exposed. If the plate dries out before the photographer has time to develop the image the plate will no longer be light sensitive and will be completely useless. Hence the name "Wet Plate" process.

With a Wet-Plate not only do you receive a beautiful piece of history with you in it. You also receive a short history lesson and experience the process of the 19 century photography.

Here are some samples of our Wet Plates, Civil War/Steam punk/Victorian Style