Pictures By Alan
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1880s Bryant
See also 1890s Bryant.
Tintypes were introduced in the 1850s and were a popular form of photograph until the 1880s, when more convenient methods became available. The tintype process was inexpensive and, for the first time, ordinary people could afford to have their photo taken. Travelling street photographers took many tintypes, quite possibly including these. They used a portable darkroom to develop the image immediately after it was taken. The process was positive, and since the photo is opaque, right and left are swapped. (Modern color slides are also positive, but are transparent, so they can be viewed through the back to see right and left correctly).
Photographers often added a dash of color to the image. All three of these tintypes have a bit of pink on the cheeks and the hands. Later photographers became much more skilled at coloring photos, as this 1920s photo of Blanche shows.
When keeping track of old photographs, you should always write dates and names on the photo itself. If Blanche had not taken a moment to write the names and relations of these people, there would be no way to guess who they were.
Alan Bryant 2005-Jun-16
