Tintype is a photographic process that became popular in the mid-19th century. It involves creating images on thin sheets of iron coated with a dark lacquer or enamel. The process is known for its durability and the unique, rich quality of the images it produces. To create a tintype, a photographer would expose a wet plate coated with a light-sensitive emulsion to light, capturing the image directly onto the metal surface. This method was favored for its quick processing time and affordability, making it accessible for many, including itinerant photographers and portrait studios during the Civil War era.