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

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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/

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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