Ambrotypes &Tintypes
T H E H I S T O R Y O F P H O T O G R A P H Y
DOVLAT YAKSHIBAYEV
8
2
WEEK 8
Ambrotypes and tintypes-these two new types of photo-
graphs were developed after the invention of wet collodion
process by Frederich S. Archer in 1850s. Although these two
formats shared many characteristics with their predeces-
sor daguerreotype, they were much cheaper and less time
consuming to produce. They could be made could be made
with a shorter exposure time, and there was no need tilt the
plate to see the image.
Ambrotypes
Ambrotype was named after its patentee James Ambrose
Cutting in 1854. Ambrotypes were very popular since then
up until 1860s. This kind of photography was affordable for
middle and working class people.
“An ambrotype is comprised of an underexposed glass neg-
ative placed against a dark background. The dark backing
material creates a positive image. Photographers often
applied pigments to the surface of the plate to add color,
often tinting cheeks and lips red and adding gold highlights
to jewelry, buttons, and belt buckles. Ambrotypes were sold
in either cases or ornate frames to provide an attractive
product and also to protect the negative with a cover glass
and brass mat.”
Tintypes
Tintypes, originally known as or ferrotypes or melainotypes,
were invented in the 1850s with similar technique to the am-
brotypes and unlike them tintypes continued to be produced
into the 20th century. The photographic emulsion was
applied directly to a thin sheet of iron coated with a dark
lacquer or enamel, which produced a unique positive image.
Like the ambrotype, tintypes were often hand-colored.
Customers purchased cases, frames, or paper envelopes to
protect and display their images.
Tintypes and ambrotypes found in cases and frames can
be diffi cult to identify. A magnet will be attracted to the iron
support, but if a sheet of metal is used behind an ambro-
type, one could be fooled into thinking that the image is a
tintype.
Sources:
https://m.skinnerinc.com/news/blog/daguerreotypes-ambro-
types-tintypes-the-rise-of-early-photography/
https://www.loc.gov/collections/liljenquist-civil-war-photographs/
articles-and-essays/ambrotypes-and-tintypes/
https://photofocus.com/photography/ambrotypes-and-tintypes/
3
Ambrotypes and tintypes are successors of daguerreotype
and constitute a very important place in the history
of photography. These methods made the whole
process a lot easier and quicker. If it wasn’t for them,
the photography as we know it today wouldn’t have
developed. Especially tintype process is fundamental in
making both photography and printing effi cient in terms
of time and money. Within just minutes anyone who
desired could take an image home with her/him at the cost
of penny or less. In my opinion, these processes were kind
of a breakthrough in the development of photography.
Conclusion
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