Cortez The Killer

This is a tintype portrait of me, taken by my husband a couple of years ago. I had to sit perfectly still for a few seconds, which feels longer than it sounds. This is why you'll never see any action shots in a tintype format, only portraits.

I was very proud when Jay dove in and figured out how to do this vintage form of photography. It was invented in the 1850s and the actual photograph is on a piece of metal. Nothing about it seems easy. Jay reminded me that light meters do not apply and both exposure and development are guesswork. The image is a negative that is flipped, so I see myself here as I would in a mirror. It takes about one week to prep, as the photographer needs to make the chemistry and let it age.

I think they are beautiful. This portrait somehow reminds me of my favorite Neil Young song, Cortez The Killer. You cannot rush this song, just as you cannot rush this type of photography.

He came dancing across the water
With his galleons and guns
Looking for the new world
In that palace in the sun.

On the shore lay Montezuma
With his coca leaves and pearls
In his halls he often wandered
With the secrets of the world.

And his subjects gathered 'round him
Like the leaves around a tree
In their clothes of many colors
For the angry gods to see.

And the women all were beautiful
And the men stood straight and strong
They offered life in sacrifice
So that others could go on.

Hate was just a legend
And war was never known
The people worked together
And they lifted many stones.

They carried them to the flatlands
And they died along the way
But they built up with their bare hands
What we still can't do today.

And I know she's living there
And she loves me to this day
I still can't remember when
Or how I lost my way.

He came dancing across the water
Cortez, Cortez
What a killer...

---

Jay Watson's tintypes

Joni Sternbach's tintypes

Zuma

If you're a fan, what's your favorite Neil song?