Experience The History of Photography
FIVE Historic Photography Studio is a Sintra-based studio dedicated to 19th century photographic techniques.
The studio offers a hands-on experience on wet plate collodium portraiture and its development process.
Book a portrait at our studio
Join us and discover Sintra experiencing the magic of historic portrait-making
This immersive experience is designed to make you time-travel back to the early ages of photography. This particular technique creates unique images, reminiscent of a distant past.
The Studio’s expertise lies in the use of 19th century photography technique Wet Plate Collodion, invented by Frederick Scott Archer in 1851. It’s a very complex and unique process which requires the photographic material to be coated, sensitized, exposed, developed and fixed 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.
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.
You will receive your plate 45 minutes to one hour after the experience starts.
"This is one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had! Filipe was obviously very passionate about honoring the old ways of making photographs. You can choose to use his props, but it’s really about the tintype or glass process to create a singular resulting picture. He uses the old formulas for the chemicals and you get to watch him prepare the wet plates, AND you get to watch him develop it, which is pure magic! I know a fair amount about the history of photography, but I learned a lot more during this experience. Do yourself a favor and get the larger size. It’s such a unique piece that you will come home with the most incredible souvenir."
Malana
"Hands down one of the most AMAZING experiences I’ve had traveling. Everything about this activity went so smoothly and was explained in so much detail. My boyfriend and I had a blast doing this and I love that you get to take home a very personal souvenir that is classy and one of a kind. I would do this over again myself as well as recommend this activity to anyone who is in Sintra and would like something unique to do."
Deirdra
"A stunning, timeless portrait. Visiting FIVE HISTORIC PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO for a portrait shoot was unforgettable. From the moment I stepped into the studio, I was transported back in time, surrounded by the rich history of photography and the meticulous artistry of the Wet Plate Collodion method. Filipe's expertise and passion were evident throughout. He began with an engaging history lesson, detailing the origins and significance of the Wet Plate Collodion technique. His enthusiasm made the experience not just a photoshoot but a journey through photographic history. What truly set this experience apart was Filipe's dedication to involving me in every step of the process. From the initial concept to the final image, I was able to follow my portrait's transformation through the darkroom. Watching the image gradually come to life on the aluminum plate was magical.
Whether you're a enthusiast or just looking for a portrait, this is the place!."
Shawn
A little about us and our studio
It all began with a dream. 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.
We decided to retrace the footsteps of the historical portuguese photography pioneers and after learned extensively about those ancient processes and techniques, in 2018 we open the Five Historic Photography Studio.
The studio was designed by us (Vera and Filipe), a couple brought together by a mutual passion for biology; antiques and analogue photography and no better place than the romantic Sintra to make this dream come true.
Embark on a voyage to 19th century romantic Sintra and experience first-hand the magic of some of 19th century photography techniques.
