Beginning Wet Plate Collodion: A Hands-On 2-Day Workshop

All Students Will Create Their Own Tintypes

Instructor: Kary Janousek
Duration: 2-Day Workshop
Dates & Times: Saturday & Sunday, June 28–29, 2025 | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Cost: $425.00
Minimum Enrollment: 4 students

 

Description: Explore the magic of 19th-century tintype photography in this immersive two-day workshop. Designed for both beginners and experienced photographers, this hands-on course covers the history, chemistry, and techniques of the tintype process before guiding students through creating their own plates.

 

Day 1: Lecture & Demonstration (Saturday, June 28 | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM)

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The workshop begins with a foundational session to introduce students to the tintype process. This session includes:

• A PowerPoint lecture covering the history, chemistry, and technical aspects of tintype photography

• A hands-on look at equipment and materials used in the process

• Physical examples of tintypes for close examination

• Discussion and Q&A to assess student experience and skill levels

This session lasts approximately 1.5 hours, ensuring students feel confident before moving into the hands-on portion of the workshop.

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Day 1 & Day 2: Hands-On Tintype Creation (Saturday & Sunday, June 28–29 | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM)

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Following the lecture, students will begin working with the process hands-on, split across two days to allow for in-depth learning and ample practice.

• The instructor will demonstrate the full tintype process, from plate preparation to development.

• Students will take turns pouring, exposing, and developing their own tintypes.

• Each image takes approximately 20 minutes, ensuring each student gets individualized attention.

By splitting the hands-on portion across Saturday and Sunday, students can refine their skills while creating multiple plates under guided supervision.

 

Class Requirements:

No experience necessary. 

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Materials Provided:

• All necessary chemicals and equipment

• A light lunch (students with dietary restrictions should bring their own)

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Class Size:

Limited to 6 students to ensure a hands-on learning experience.

 

Instructor Bio - Kary Janousek:

I am a visual artist specializing in the Victorian wet plate collodion process, working primarily from my studio, Old School Collodion, in downtown Fargo. Since 2019, I have been dedicated to this historical photographic art form, showcasing my work in 12 solo exhibitions and securing a place in several state museum archives. My photographs have been featured in online exhibitions worldwide, as well as in newspapers, journals, magazines, group exhibitions, and local colleges.

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Beyond exhibitions, I have been a featured guest on television programs and podcasts across the country, including Prairie Public’s The Great American Folk Show and In The Moment with Lori Walsh on South Dakota Public Radio. In 2024, I became the first photographer using the wet plate collodion process to tour North Dakota and Deadwood, South Dakota, taking tintypes and delivering lectures—an initiative supported in part by the Historical Societies of North Dakota and South Dakota.

 

Questions?

For more information, contact info@praxisgallery.com

Class Withdrawal/Cancellation/Refund Policy:

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• Payment in full is required at registration. If the class is full, students will be placed on a waitlist.

• Withdrawal notice must be given two weeks in advance to transfer to the next scheduled class or receive a 50% refund.

• No refunds for withdrawals with less than two weeks’ notice, though transfers may be made up to one week in advance.

• No refunds for no-shows.

Withdrawal requests should be sent to info@praxisgallery.com

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[Full Praxis Registration, Cancellation, Refund & Liability Policies]