In 1851, a photographer used a special method known as the collodion process. This involved pouring collodion onto a metal plate, then capturing an image in the camera before the collodion dried. It was a simple yet powerful approach that offered only one shot and no chance for a redo.

TinType is a modern take on this classic photography style, designed specifically for your iPhone. It allows you to create stunning wet plate photography with ease.

With TinType, you shoot first and edit never. Before taking a picture, you choose your tools just like photographers did for over seventy years. You pick a plate type, frame your shot, and take the picture. What you get is a finished wet plate image. Each plate has its own character, and some are better than others. That adds to the charm of this process.

There are several plate options available in TinType. You can choose from collodion black and white, color, sepia plate photography, and dark plate images. Each plate comes with handmade edges, watermarks, and grain that resemble real plates. This allows you to create hauntingly beautiful and soul-capturing portraits, all faithfully reproduced with stunning accuracy.

TinType excels in authentic portrait photography. It is built to photograph people, focusing on their eyes and adjusting the focal plane directly on them. This method mimics how a traditional collodion plate photographer would have used their camera. The app even uses depth reading technology to capture real depth from the camera. This feature ensures that you get the most authentic images possible.

The interface of TinType is beautifully designed to reflect the vintage tintype camera design. It even reacts to your motion, creating camera motion effects as you frame your subject. This adds a delightful touch to your photography experience.

Once you've captured your images, TinTypes save directly to your Photos library at full quality. You will see no watermark on your images, ever. The app includes an in-app editing suite, allowing you to tweak photography plates and adjust the focal point with a simple tap.

TinType is developed by Hipstamatic, a company that has been creating iPhone camera apps since 2009. If you're a member of the Hipstamatic Camera Club, you get unlimited use of TinType. For those who aren’t members, there’s an option for a one-time purchase that grants unlimited access to this wonderful app.

Capturing images with TinType combines the timeless photography techniques of the past with modern technology. You can explore color plate options, adjust portrait focal points, and enjoy minimal editing requirements. This way, you can produce realistic image reproduction with artistic photo effects and a handcrafted aesthetic.

Experience the joy of wet plate photography with TinType, where every photo you take is a work of art that pays homage to traditional techniques.