Simulating Tintypes using Digital Techniques

I'm interested in trying to simulate things like tintypes using digital techniques.

I think the best way to do it is not to just use Photoshop tricks, nut to model and tecture a surface and render it in Maxwell, paying special attention to surface textures and materials and reflectivity.

Before I can do that, however, I need t have a good look at a few of these things. I want to hold them in my hand, flex them, scratch them, see how they reflect light.

I bought a few on eBay. Surprisingly cheap for small ones. I am scanning them on flickr in this set: Tintypes

I'll update this blog entry as my experiments in this area progress...

UPDATE 2/15/2010

model: Nekromistress

This is a straight Photoshop composite using some textures from some scanned tintypes I bought on eBay. To really do it up, I want to bring Maxwell and ZBrush into the mix. I haven't done so, yet.