Tony Richards
@tonyrichards.bsky.social
390 followers 44 following 41 posts
Senior Photographer at the John Rylands Research Institute and Library. Practitioner of historic photographic processes. Photographer - Collector - Experimenter https://linktr.ee/tony.richards
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tonyrichards.bsky.social
Our tintype popup studio at The Rustic Stomp Festival. So hot but had a great time.

#tintype #wetplatecollodion #therusticstomp ##analoguephotography

fourtoes.co.uk/iblog/the-ru...
The Rustic Stomp Festival 2025 - FOURTOES
Blog post about our popup tintype studio at the Rustic Stomp Festival 2025
fourtoes.co.uk
Reposted by Tony Richards
rpshistgroup.bsky.social
Our July Newsletter is now available via the link in our profile.

Including an illustrated report by Caitlin Greenwood of The Museum of North Craven Life about our recent visit to @tonyrichards.bsky.social wet plate photography studio
tonyrichards.bsky.social
My studio is back to normal.

Developer, Fixer & Collodion mixed.

A tintype test. I just need to filter the silver and I'm ready for the demo and talk at Wigan Photographic Society on Tuesday.

#wetplate #wetplatecollodion #analoguephotography #darkroom #historyofphotography #tintype #ambrotype
Quarter plate tintype for chemistry tests. 
A view of part of my daylight studio.
tonyrichards.bsky.social
Perfect light for the camera obscura this morning. Fingers crossed for good weather tomorrow for the Centenary Open Day @leighspinnersmill #largeformat #alternativeprocess #cameraobscura #leighspinnersmill
Camera obscura in my studio
tonyrichards.bsky.social
I'll be turning my studio into a Camera Obscura for the mills Centenary Open Day on the 7th June

Here are a couple of tests, it really does rely on a bright day, so fingers crossed the sun returns. Although I do like those clouds.

#cameraobscura #analoguephotography #historyofphotography #optics
tonyrichards.bsky.social
I thought I'd give Caffenol processing a go today after putting it off for many years.
I'll have to give it another go.

More info and thoughts over on my blog.

#alternateprocess #caffenol #analoguephotography
Caffenol negatives held up to the light Some prints made from the cagfenol negatives. Not too bad considering. Negatives mad with caffenol process held up to the light Print made with the caffenol negatives. Showing a large ladder at a window in my empty studio.
Reposted by Tony Richards
rpshistgroup.bsky.social
New event just added to our 2025 Programme.

A Collodion Studio visit hosted by @tonyrichards.bsky.social at Spinners Mill, Leigh on Saturday 21st June 2025 (1045-1600).

Places free but limited. Book via link in bio.
tonyrichards.bsky.social
That's my thoughts as well. Thanks.
tonyrichards.bsky.social
#Cyanotypes from 5x4 inch Foma film pinhole negatives.

30 minute exposures with the paper I coated yesterday.

1 Just out of the contact print frame (picture frame).
2 Cyanotype only.
3 Toned with hot instant coffee (2 teaspoons).
4 Toned with cold Yorkshire tea. (4 bags).

#alternativeprocess
tonyrichards.bsky.social
Love that bath tub pic.
tonyrichards.bsky.social
We had a wonderful Open Day at Leigh Spinners Mill this Saturday. Thanks to everyone who called into my studio to see what I do and chat photography. In the brief, quieter moments, I was able to take time to show visitors some contact printing.

The next one is our Centenary event on the 7th June.
Wide view of my studio Chatting to visitors in my studio during Open Day. Van dyke brown print from 5x4 negative of studio chair. Crop of Van dyke brown print from 5x4 negative of studio chair.
tonyrichards.bsky.social
Mixed some Van Dyke Brown chems today, not done any in a long while. Cropped from 12x15 inch glass plates.

#alternativephoto #largeformat #darkroom #vandykebrown
tonyrichards.bsky.social
Oh, that looks good. Is that our copy for the studio ;)
tonyrichards.bsky.social
A lovely workshop yesterday with @orrin.pierre and @elyssaiona, who both produced some great tintypes and ambrotypes.

Good to meet you both, and well done on producing some great images.

#wetplatecollodion #wetplateworkshop #analoguephotography
#tintype #ambrotype #victorianphotography
Two tintypes in the wash
tonyrichards.bsky.social
A revamped rusty and mouldy Coronet camera. It still works before anyone tells me off. :)

More info over on my blog.

#analoguephotography #filmphotography ##ilfordhp5 #coronetcamera
tonyrichards.bsky.social
Lovely wet plate collodion workshop with Gareth today. Worked his way up from quarter plate to some great whole plate tintypes and ambrotypes. Even the one of yours truly.

#wetplateworkshop
#wetplatecollodion
#tintype #ambrotype #analoguephotography #victorianphotography #darkroom
tonyrichards.bsky.social
Underdeveloped 35mm negatives that were so thin I didn't given them a second glance in 2022 until now.

Printed on Ilford Matt Classic FB at Grade 5. Yes, Grade 5.

I was really surprised by the tonality and detail. Not the most interesting of pics, but I might Bromoil them to see how they look.
tonyrichards.bsky.social
Maybe still photograph it at intervals though.
tonyrichards.bsky.social
Yes, I'd posted it over on the UK collodion FB page. Mark Ostermans' suggestion. Makes sense, and then you can see the changes compared to areas unaffected by light.
tonyrichards.bsky.social
This was suggested elsewhere. "The silver will gain in density. Put a sheet of tintype material over half the plate in a frame and place it in a window. You’ll see it change."
tonyrichards.bsky.social
This plate is with Sara as it was her question. I suggested displaying it as any other photograph and record it daily, weekly, monthly for changes.
tonyrichards.bsky.social
I had a very interesting workshop with @saradominici.bsky.social yesterday.
She raised a number of theoretical and hypothetical questions related to darkroom practice.
Such as what does a plate look like over time if its developed, washed NOT fixed but varnished. I had no idea. Let's find out.
tonyrichards.bsky.social
Was great to meet you at last. You raised some very interesting questions, ones that the practicing wet plater doesn't even consider.

Let me know how that experimental plate reacts over time.

And you are welcome anytime.