Tintype Central

123 Whitaker Street, Te Aroha

027 296 2676

Tintype Central is based in Te Aroha, and run by Adrian Cook, an award-winning portrait and documentary photographer.

Tintype Central is a portrait studio specialising in the wet plate collodion process, a 19th-century method of development that predates film photography. Each image is hand-crafted, producing an original direct-positive image on a sheet of glass or aluminium plate. This process produces unique images with a timeless beauty.

Using equipment and techniques developed during the 1850’s, the photographic plates are individually coated and sensitised in the darkroom before being exposed and developed while wet. Once fixed, washed and dried they are then coated in a gum sandarac varnish that preserves and protects them for generations.

Participating in a tintype session and seeing the alchemic process as images appear on the plate is captivating; an experience that few people now have the opportunity to witness. At the end of the session, you will leave with a unique and original hand-made portrait and a complimentary digital file of your image.

You can find more information about the portrait sessions, other services and events here.

ENQUIRE FOR BOOKING