Getting Started with Collodion or Tintype with Jill Enfield

Everyone always thinks you need a fancy camera to do large format photography—especially when a historical process like wet collodion or tintype is involved. Don’t be nervous or put off by price! You can get used to using a larger camera while spending very little money and having some fun. That’s right—flea markets and eBay!

One of my favorite pastimes is bargain hunting, and one of my favorite things to buy is old box or bellows cameras. I can usually find the old cameras for a whopping $10.00 to $45.00, depending on the camera. Old 4 x 5 cameras can often be found on eBay for under $300.00.

You can place the glass (used for collodion) or the metal (used for tintypes) directly in the backs of most of these cameras. It is a great way to get started with all kinds of projects. You can also get used to a new old camera, or practice before a class, by using Fuji instant film (the new “Polaroid”). This will help you get acquainted with the mechanisms and learn how the camera responds to light.

Learn more from Jill in her workshop
Wet-Plate Collodion: Back to the Future
July 25 - July 31, 2010

Visit her website http://jillenfield.com to see what she’s up to.