Photography Students Explore the Past Through Tintype Workshop

Thanks to the support of a Parents Association (PA) Grant, students in Mrs. Cassie Thompson’s Photo I & II classes had the rare opportunity to step back in time and work with guest artist Mac Cosgrove-Davies—an Arlington-based photographer known for his expertise in historical photographic processes.

Cosgrove-Davies, whose work is represented in prestigious collections such as the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Library of Congress, led students through the wet plate collodion process, better known as tintype. With his vintage large-format camera and deep knowledge of 19th-century photography, he brought a unique blend of artistry, craftsmanship, and history into the classroom.

Tintypes—also called melainotypes or ferrotypes—are photographs created by applying a light-sensitive emulsion to a thin sheet of metal, typically iron, coated with dark lacquer or enamel. The result is a direct positive image with a distinctive, silver-toned aesthetic that once defined portrait photography in the 1800s.

Under Cosgrove-Davies’s guidance, students created a fully functioning pop-up darkroom, learning every step of the tintype process. From coating and sensitizing the metal plates to exposing and developing their images, students experienced firsthand the meticulous nature and rewarding results of historical image-making. The portraits they created—dubbed “peculiar portraits” offered more than just likenesses; they captured the atmosphere and artistry of a bygone era.

The workshop provided an unforgettable, hands-on learning experience where art, science, and history came together. Students walked away with a new skillset, a tangible connection to the origins of photography, and a deeper appreciation for alternative processes and the creative possibilities they offer.

This special opportunity exemplifies the value of experiential learning and the importance of connecting students with practicing artists. By bringing history to life through creative exploration, opportunities like this inspire students to look at their craft—and the world—through a broader lens.