How much does it cost?
You? Nothing, other than your time. This is part of an ongoing personal project. If I really like the plate I’m keeping it, (that’s the -ish part) otherwise it’s yours. If I decide to keep a plate I will offer you the chance to have a second plate taken if you and I have the time. If I do keep the plate and we don’t get a second I will send you a high resolution scan later. In general it will be first come first served. I do have a couple of folks whom I have promised a plate or owe a plate (for reasons) so don’t get miffed if you get bumped or don’t get a plate. I plan on shooting at least 10 and up to 20 plates a day. I’ll try to get as many as the weather, chemistry, time and stamina allow.

When?
My proposed shooting schedule is 10am to 2pm Friday and Saturday. I may go a little later but I would like to have some time to enjoy the con too. It takes me about an hour plus travel time from the hotel to set up and take down the whole rig so if I go past 3pm I’m really cutting into con/party time.

Where?
Right now I am planning to shoot on the third floor balcony, the one near the headless lounge. This may change at the whim of the weather and staff of Anthrocon. I’ll post on FA, Weasyl and Twitter when and where each day. The best way to contact me is through Twitter @VelantianQX.

A note on color:
Collodion renders color very differently than black and white film. If you are wondering what your suit may look like please see https://contrastique.wordpress.com/2012/04/22/the-big-collodion-test
See illustration #4 : Lea’s Landscape #7 and Lea’s Sugar Developer, I use a variation of those formula.

How long does it take to make a Tintype?
The total time is around twenty to thirty minutes but most of that is simply washing and clearing the plate. The normal process is as follows:

1. Coat the plate, sensitize. Sensitizing takes three minutes, two and a half if the silver bath temperature gets over 31º C.
2. While the plate is sensitizing we will setup the shot and get a rough focus.
3. Pull the plate, mount it in the plate holder, final focus. Total time to this point is a minimum of four minutes and no more than five.
4. Shoot: Depending on the light this will take anywhere from one second to thirty seconds (yeah it’s really that slow)
5. Develop: Developing and the initial wash, one to three minutes.
6. Fix: This is the fun part, the image magically seems to appear from a mass of blue haze. This can take anywhere from thirty seconds to two minutes. At this point I’ll know if I want to keep the plate for myself or not. Total time to here ~ 6 to 9 minutes. The plate has to wash in clear water for at least 10 min, preferably longer. After washing I have to dry it by letting it sit in the drying rack or ‘roasting’ it over a flame. When dry it gets a thin coating of varnish to protect it.
   Total time to completion 20 to 30 minutes. Of course I will be multi-tasking so the varnishing will happen as I have any breaks from shooting, some will not be completed until after I have already quit shooting for the day.

I do need to take time between plates to do some clean up and prep for the next plate. The cleaner I keep my trays and equipment the better the plates will be.

Can I tip you or pay you?
Thanks, but not necessary. If you really feel the need, give a small or extra donation to the Anthrocon charities.

Can I talk to you, hug you, buy you a drink etc.
Sure, but when I’m working I tend to get into a spacey place and may seem distant and preoccupied, but otherwise I’ll get all pedantic and talk your ears off. I don’t drink much but a beer after a long day shooting in the sun is appreciated, if you find me out somewhere.

Can I watch?
Sure, but If you’re standing around I may dragoon you into holding a reflector, fetching water or something. You have been warned!

Can I take your picture?
I don’t mind, feel free to snap away while I’m working. Personally I’m not all that photogenic.

How old is that camera?
It’s 1920’s model Gundlach-Manhattan Korona 5x7 view camera. https://www.furaffinity.net/view/9842430

What’s the deal with the silly derby?
It’s a tool dammit! It’s a lens cap (get it lens ‘cap’ … never mind), compendium shade when needed and it prevents sweat from dripping from my forehead onto the plates. It also keeps the sun from frying my aging balding head.