Video Shows the Making of a Tintype From the Photographer's Perspective

Photographer Mark Zimmerman creates some stunning tintype work. For the making of one of them, he strapped on a GoPro, allowing us to follow the entire process from the photographer's point of view. It's a slow, methodical, and deeply satisfying video to watch. 

In an age where instant gratification is the expectation, there's something to be said for a process that requires one to slow down and wait for the results to gradually appear. Tintype photography is such a process. In the video above, it takes Zimmerman approximately ten minutes to produce one image, but rather than feeling impatient, I found the method both meditative and rewarding. He walks us through the entire process, from flowing the collodion to the finished print. Say what you want about the film versus digital debate, but one thing I think digital won't ever replace is the tactile sense inherent in these analog processes. It's also clear how much this makes one think about the image they're creating; there's no room for the "spray and pray" method here. It makes me want to put down my DSLR and step into a darkroom for a while. Check out more of Zimmerman's work on his website!