Photo students explore tintypes

Photography students in the Department of Visual Arts attended a tintype demonstration from Lafayette-based photographer, Bruce Schultz. After an overview of the invention of photography, Schultz explained the chemical processes, materials, and cameras he uses to make a tintype, then proceeded to demonstrate the technique. Students were active participants, sitting for the camera for 10-second long exposures. The finished tintype portraits were later donated to our photography area.

Invented in the 19th century, the tintype became a faster and cheaper portrait alternative to the popular daguerreotype. It is known for its use in photographing American Civil War soldiers as keepsakes for their families. Additionally, it was used to document injuries sustained by soldiers during the war, and is recognized for helping advance medical treatment.

Schultz has been working with wet-plate collodian processes including tintypes, ambrotypes, and glass negatives since 2007. He has collaborated with the Acadiana Center for the Arts’ Louisiana Crossroads program, the New Orleans Museum of Art, and PhotoNOLA. His tintypes have been featured in American Horror Story (2013) and Beautiful Creatures (2013).

Learn more about Schultz at http://www.tintypesforever.com/