19th Century Photography Experience

The final result, a one of a kind tintype hand made like in 19th century

Take home a unique souvenir. a hand made tintype

Follow all the process in the dark room and witness how your one of a kind tintype is made

like in 19th century. take home your portrait and learn about the history of photography

Choose your style and your pose and take home not only an unique piece but also the whole experience in your memories

Smiling or not smiling, looking to the camera or not is always a unique portrait you will take from the five Historic Photography Studio

Tintype hand made like in the 19th century. Come and witness how it is made.

You can wear 19th century cloths or you can bring your own props or cloths is up to you.

happy couple after taking a hand made portrait that they will cherish forever

Preparing to varnish the plate to protect the photo so the client can take it home

Family portrait. Just after fixing you can see the final result

Come and also learn about the history of photography

Preparing the plate with the first chemicals

Duration1h

Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before

Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesPortuguese, English, Italian

Private tourOnly your group will participate

Overview

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 not the totalities of these photos are stored and forgotten in a computer. We look for the reverse; something tangible and precious that cannot be neglected. It’s 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.

Options

Large Portrait 20X25 cm

Medium Portrait 13X18 cm

Small Portrait 10X12 cm

What's included

Use of period clothing and accessories (optional)
Experience/witness the whole development process in the dark room under safe red light
Tintype/Portrait taken by the host.
Introduction to 19th-century photography and the collodion process

Digital copies of the photograph

What to expect

This experience is designed to make you time-travel back to the early ages of photography. You’ll have your portrait made through one of the oldest photography processes, invented by Frederick Scott Archer in 1851: 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.

This particular technique creates unique images, reminiscent of a distant past. You will have the chance to choose from three different sizes in which the tintype portrait will be made.

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.

The aluminium plates (tintypes) are ready to take, one hour after the experience starts.

Five Historic Photography Studio

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

25 minutes walking distance from Sintra Railway station. The guest will be received at FIVE HISTORIC PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO, located in a beautiful historic neighborhood called São Pedro de Sintra. There are also bus from the station (1252 or 1253). Taking an Uber is also another good option.

End point

25 minutes walking distance from Sintra Railway station. The guest will be received at FIVE HISTORIC PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO, located in a beautiful historic neighborhood called São Pedro de Sintra. There are also bus from the station (1252 or 1253). Taking an Uber is also another good option.

Additional information

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Desaconselhável para crianças com menos de 6 anos de idade, uma vez que os tempo de exposição da fotografia pode ir até aos 10 segundos.

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

5.0 (18)