If you're planning to visit the studio, we're glad you decided to give this 160+ year old photographic process a shot. If the only pictures you've ever been around are those you look at on a screen, you're in for a big treat. Not only will you get to see the process first hand from behind the camera, but you'll also see your picture come to life when the final chemicals are added.
Individual portraits are our speciality. A soft focus closeup will be a picture that generations of your family will be able to view.
Here are a few things to expect once you're in the studio:
Your photograph will be ready for you within a week. It has to be dried, cleaned, scanned and varnished to fully protect the silver image from tarnishing. After this protective process is complete, your image will last for generations. You will receive your photograph as well as a touched up digital scan for online use.
A comparison of wetplate collodion vs modern photography
First, notice that the image is flipped horizontally. This is due to the light crossing through the lens and being inverted.
Next notice the shallow depth of field. The bigger the camera aperature, the shorter the exposure time needed. This results in only a central spot being in focus.
Finally, this picture shows how colors are captured in collodion. Only items that are blue or white show up as highlights.