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 27 & 28, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
 

Tuition: $495 (Members $445)

A $100 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your seat.
The remaining balance will be invoiced four (4) weeks prior to the class start date.

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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 & Introduction to Tintype

 

The workshop begins with a foundational session introducing the tintype process.

• Visual lecture covering the history, chemistry, and technical foundations of tintype photography

• Overview of equipment, materials, and safety considerations

• Examination of physical tintypes

• Discussion and Q&A to assess student experience and goals

This session lasts approximately 1.5 hours and prepares students for hands-on work.

 

Day 1 (Afternoon): Guided Hands-On Practice

 

Following the lecture, students begin working with the process under close supervision.

• Instructor demonstrates the complete tintype workflow, from plate preparation through development

• Students take turns pouring, exposing, and developing plates

• Each image takes approximately 20 minutes, allowing for individualized guidance

 

Day 2: Independent Shooting & Production

 

Day two is fully hands-on and production-focused. Students arrive ready to work and spend the day making their own tintypes.

• Students photograph models and still lifes to create creative portraits and studies

• Continued instructor support and troubleshooting throughout the day

• Emphasis on refining technique, pacing, and creative decision-making

 

By the end of the workshop, students will have produced multiple tintypes and gained the confidence to continue working with the process independently.

 

Class Requirements:

No experience necessary. 

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Materials Provided:

• All necessary chemicals and equipment

• Lunch provided Saturday & Sunday (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

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Minimum Enrollment

• Minimum Enrollment: 4 students · Maximum: 6 students
• If minimum enrollment is not met, the class will be canceled and all payments will be fully refunded, including deposits.

 

Disability Access & Tuition Support

Praxis offers reduced or waived tuition for individuals receiving Social Security disability benefits. Disability-related access accommodations are addressed through established organizational practices. For questions or to request access or tuition support, please contact Ross at info@praxisphotocenter.org.

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Cancellation Policy

   • A $100 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve a seat.

• Cancellations made more than 14 days prior to the class start date may receive a deposit credit, applied toward a future Praxis workshop.

• Cancellations made within 14 days of the class start date are non-refundable.

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DISABILITY ACCESS & TUITION SUPPORT

Praxis offers reduced or waived tuition for individuals receiving Social Security disability benefits. Disability-related access accommodations are addressed through established organizational practices. For questions or to request access or tuition support, please contact Ross at info@praxisphotocenter.org.

 

Important Notes

• Seats are limited and reserved upon deposit.

• Deposits secure equipment, materials, and instructor scheduling.

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