19th Century Wet Plate Collodion Metal Portrait — A Unique Experience in Porto, Portugal
Step into the darkroom, pour the collodion, and walk away with a handmade portrait forged in silver and light.
At Alchemy Studio Porto, photographer Nuno Marcelino invites you to take part in a living demonstration of wet plate collodion photography — one of the oldest and most captivating photographic processes in history. This session goes beyond observation: you become an active participant in the creation of your own one-of-a-kind metal portrait.
Developed in the 1850s, the wet plate collodion process requires precise chemistry, careful timing, and skilled hands. Every plate is unique, shaped by light and liquid, and no two results are ever identical. The experience offers a tangible connection to the origins of photography that digital methods simply cannot replicate.
Nuno has photographed thousands of individuals from more than 40 countries using this process over the past decade. His studio in Porto has become a destination for those seeking a genuinely rare artistic encounter. Each portrait produced here carries its own character, imperfections, and depth.
This session is rated easy and is suitable for participants with no prior knowledge of photography or chemistry. The process unfolds step by step, guided by clear explanation and hands-on involvement throughout.
Experience Highlights
Witness and participate in the full wet plate collodion process from start to finish inside a working darkroom.
Leave with a genuine handmade metal portrait — an original piece of photographic art created entirely by hand.
Guided by photographer Nuno Marcelino, who has worked with participants from over 40 countries across a decade of practice.
A compact 90-minute session designed to be accessible and engaging for all levels of experience.
An encounter with 19th-century photographic history brought to life in the heart of Porto, Portugal.
Each plate is chemically unique — no two wet plate collodion portraits are ever the same.
Session Itinerary
Arrive at Alchemy Studio Porto and meet photographer Nuno Marcelino. He will introduce you to the history of the wet plate collodion process and outline the steps you are about to experience.
Watch and assist as collodion is poured over a metal plate and sensitized in a silver nitrate bath. You will learn how light sensitivity is created using chemistry alone.
Take your position in front of the large-format camera as Nuno captures your portrait on the freshly prepared wet plate. The exposure must happen within a precise time window while the plate remains sensitive.
Enter the darkroom with Nuno as your portrait is developed using traditional chemical solutions. Watch the image emerge directly on the metal surface in real time.
The developed plate is fixed and varnished by hand to preserve the image permanently. Nuno explains each step of the finishing process as it unfolds.
Your finished wet plate collodion metal portrait is ready to take with you. It is a singular handmade object — a permanent record of your visit to Porto and this studio.
What Is Included
Included
- Full guided wet plate collodion session with photographer Nuno Marcelino
- One finished wet plate collodion metal portrait per participant
- Access to Alchemy Studio Porto and darkroom facilities
- Step-by-step explanation of the entire photographic process
- All chemistry, materials, and equipment required for the session
Not Included
- Transport to and from the studio
- Additional portraits beyond the included session
- Food and beverages
Important Information
Book Your Wet Plate Portrait Session
Reserve your place at Alchemy Studio Porto and take home a handmade metal portrait made with 19th-century technique and contemporary skill.
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