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19th Century Photography Experience

16 Reviews 5.00 out of 5 stars Based on 16 reviews collected by City Boat Tours and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 100% of reviewers |
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards.
Sintra, Portugal

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On average, this is booked 30 (0) days in advance.

1 hour (approx.)
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Overview

The studio offers a hands-on experience on wet plate collodion portraiture and its development process. In this digital era, where thousands and thousands of photographs are taken every day by simple mobiles and digital cameras, the great if not the totalities of these photos are stored and forgotten in a computer. We look for the reverse; something tangible and precious that cannot be neglected. It’s a very complex and unique process which requires the photographic material to be coated, sensitized, impressed and revealed within a period of about fifteen minutes while the plate is still wet and hence its name. Making a wet plate can be time-consuming, unpredictable, and requires a great deal of commitment and patience but the result is a unique, beautiful and lasting piece.

What's Included

  • Experience/see the whole development process in the dark room
  • Tintype/Portrait taken by the host.

    Meeting Location

    Meeting point

    Largo 1º de Dezembro
    2710-496 Sintra, Portugal

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    Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

    End point

    This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    What To Expect

    This experience is designed to make you time-travel back to the early ages of photography. You’ll have your portrait made through one of the oldest photography processes, invented by Frederick Scott Archer in 1851: wet plate collodion and will have the chance to experience the whole process of development. This immersive experience will be held at FIVE HISTORIC PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO, which itself is equipped with antique cameras, and furniture, alongside some literature on 19th century Photography, all for your edification.

    This particular technique creates unique images, reminiscent of a distant past. You will have the chance to choose from three different sizes in which the tintype portrait will be made.

    Some 19th century clothes and props will be available for the portrait session.

    In addition to being an extremely interesting process, you will have the opportunity to follow the hosts to the laboratory/dark-room to experience/see the whole development process.

    The aluminium plates (tintypes) are ready to take, one hour after the experience starts.

    Additional Info

    • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

    Frequently Asked Questions

    (6)

    Q: What is the cancellation policy for the 19th Century Photography Experience?

    A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (WEST). Read more Apr 2025

    Cancellation Policy

    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

    Still have questions?

    We're here to help.
    Activity code: C-125229P1

    Traveler Photos

    Reviews

    5.00
    16 reviews

    Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 16 traveler reviews collected by City Boat Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

    5 stars
    16
    4 stars
    0
    3 stars
    0
    2 stars
    0
    1 star
    0

    Loading Options
    Don't miss out!
    On average, this is booked 30 (0) days in advance.

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    What's Included

    Activity name

    • Experience/see the whole development process in the dark room
    • Tintype/Portrait taken by the host.

    Additional Info

    Activity name

    • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Desaconselhável para crianças com menos de 6 anos de idade, uma vez que os tempo de exposição da fotografia pode ir até aos 10 segundos.
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

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    Free Cancellation

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    100% refund
    No refund

    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

    • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
    • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
    • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
    • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (WEST).

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