Tintype California was established by Andrei and Anton, leveraging their extensive photographic experience, after Andrey relocated from war-torn Ukraine to the USA. Situated just 10 minutes north of downtown San Diego in the vibrant North Park neighborhood, our studio serves as a creative hub. We are also equipped to provide on-location services, catering to events, weddings, and pop-ups in cities like San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Phoenix.

About the Process:

The wet collodion process, a revolutionary photographic technique of the early 1850s, captured the world’s attention. While historically used primarily for creating negatives for albumen or platinum printing, our focus lies in producing premier direct positive images, including tintypes (captured on blackened metal) and ruby glass ambrotypes (utilizing colored glass as a substrate). These direct positives, known as plates, imbue each image with a unique quality reminiscent of a painting or sculpture. Constructed with particles of pure silver on metal or glass, our meticulously prepared plates, coated with the finest traditional varnish, retain their beauty for well over a century. Few photographic techniques rival the captivating allure and presence of a well-crafted collodion image.

Within our studio, we offer plates in a range of sizes, from 4×5 inches to 20×20 inches. On location, we can accommodate sizes up to 11×14 inches, although the most popular options due to efficient production are typically 4×5 and 5×7 inches.

Each tintype and ambrotype is meticulously created from scratch at the time of the shoot. Whether in our studio or on location, you will have the unique opportunity to witness a demonstration of this historic process, enhancing the experience of having your portrait made. The process itself is relatively swift; however, for studio appointments, we recommend allowing at least an hour (potentially longer for plates larger than 8×10 inches).