FIVE Historic Photography Studio 19th century photography experience

FIVE Historic Photography Studio 19th century photography experience

The studio offers a hands-on experience on wet plate collodion portraiture and its development process. In this digital era, where thousands and thousands of photographs are taken every day by simple mobiles and digital cameras, the great if the totalities of these photos are stored and forgotten in a computer. We look for the reverse; something tangible and precious that can not be neglected. It is a very complex and unique process which requires the photographic material to be coated, sensitized, impressed and revealed within a period of about fifteen minutes while the plate is still wet and hence its name. Making a wet plate can be time-consuming, unpredictable, and requires a great deal of commitment and patience but the result is a unique, beautiful and lasting piece.

This experience is designed to make you time-travel back to the early ages of photography. You will have your portrait made by one of the oldest photography processes: wet plate collodion and will have the chance to experience the whole process of development. This immersive experience will be held at FIVE HISTORIC PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO, which itself is equipped with antique cameras, and furniture, alongside some literature on 19th century Photography, all for your edification.

The Studio's expertise lies in the use of 19th century photography technique Wet Plate Collodion, invented by Frederick Scott Archer in 1851.

This particular technique creates unique images, reminiscent of a distant past. You will have the chance to choose the material in which the portrait will be made - clear glass; black glass or aluminum-and choose from one of 3 different sizes.

Some 19th century clothes and props will be available for the portrait session.

In addition to being an extremely interesting process, you will have the opportunity to follow the hosts to the laboratory / dark room to experience / see the whole development process.

For aluminum plates you can receive your plate one hour after the experience starts, on the glasses, you need to pick it up at the studio the next day.