Information

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• Located in Sunshine Canyon, only 5 miles from central Boulder, the Tintype Obscura Studio offers multi-light modern tintype portraits as well as outdoor, natural light portraits in a mountain setting.

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• Each sitting takes at least 2 hours to complete, longer if you wish for additional poses or reshoots.  The first hour plus is the sitting itself, the second hour plus is the finishing of the plate (washing, drying and varnishing).  I highly suggest, during the second hour, that you drive 15 minutes up the road to Gold Hill and have lunch at the General Store (closed monday and tuesday). You can also hang out here on the porch, feed the chickens, and use the wifi.

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• The first reshoot is included, each additional reshoot will incur a $25 fee to cover the costs of chemistry.  Want to keep the reshoots? They are 50% original price. ​

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• Changes to the people, the pose, or the set reverts charge to the original fee.  

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• Sign up for a Monday - Thursday session at the studio and get 10% OFF!!!

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• Tintypes are an antique handmade art form using equipment and techniques more than a century old.  As a result, chemistry artifacts will occur. Don't think of these as bugs, but features, giving each plate a unique - dare I say magical - quality.  That being said, if said artifact negatively obscures the focal point of the image, a reshoot is no cost.

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• Studio portraits can accommodate up to two people and your infant (or pet - please feel free to bring it) if you have one.  We can squeeze in a few more folks with an outdoor, natural light portrait. 

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• Keep in mind that natural light portraits are long exposures, requiring the subjects to sit still for many seconds at a time.  Exact time will depend on time of day, weather, and lens choice, but expect to have to sit perfectly still for a minimum of 2 seconds.  Ever wonder why folks didn't smile in 19th century photographs?  Chemistry used to be even less sensitive than it is today.  Try holding a natural smile perfectly still for 10 seconds... seriously, try it right now...  it's more awkward than you might think.  Is anyone staring?

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• Natural light portraits are also heavily influenced by the weather and time of day.  Umbrellas may be required (but they do make for good props!) Here at the studio we get the best outdoor light in the mid to late afternoon when the sun is lower on the horizon to the west. 

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• Come with ideas.  Wear something intriguing, or nothing at all.  Dress up.  Be formal.  Put on a hat.  Bring a prop. Go vintage. Go nude. Be you at your most wonderfully unique!! Everyone is welcome, and so are your ideas.  

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