Special Things to Do in Tainan: Try Wet Plate Photography in Anping!

Don’t miss Dongxing Trading Post in Anping! Try old wet plate photography, make unique memories, and join fun weekend activities like cyanotype printing or guided tours. Feel history and culture in every photo and story.

Wet Plate Collodion Photography（英華攝影-濕版攝影）

🏠 Address: 台南市安平區安北路233巷3號01室（📍Google Map）
⏰ Opening Hours: 11:30–19:30 closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
🌐 Official Website: https://www.instagram.com/dx.xunwuplan/

You might have tried a DSLR or a film camera, but there’s a photography style that takes you back in time, with the warm look and feel of the 19th century. Most people haven’t tried it—this is wet plate photography.

Yinghua Photography Studio sits in the historic heart of Tainan, right at the century-old Dongxing Trading Post. Wet plate photography comes alive here, framed by old red bricks and wooden windows, giving a totally unique experience. Their techniques have gotten even better over time—definitely worth checking out!”

What’s the difference between wet plate photography and film photography?

Wet Plate Collodion Photography is an old technique from the mid-19th century. Unlike regular film photography, it uses a glass plate instead of film. A layer of collodion is applied to the plate, then coated with silver nitrate to make it light-sensitive.

The plate must stay wet during shooting, and after exposure it goes through developing, fixing, and washing. The process is complicated, time-sensitive, and full of surprises—very different from using regular film.

You can check out the story of Dongxing Trading Post here, connecting the history of Anping Harbor with the beginnings of photography.

They also explain wet plate photography. It’s definitely worth exploring slowly and taking it all in.

Every bellows camera in the studio is over 100 years old, collected one by one from around the world by the Yinghua Photography team. The instructor restores each camera, and what’s even more special is that every wet plate photographer has their own secret recipe for the chemicals. These differences, along with the hands-on process, give each photo its unique texture and feel.

The image you see through the camera’s viewfinder appears upside down and reversed, due to the pinhole imaging principle. This makes framing and focusing even more challenging!

Before shooting, the staff coat the glass plates with chemicals in a darkroom, then load them into the holder. The exposure takes less than a second, followed by developing, fixing, washing, and drying. Outdoor shoots are even trickier, with sunlight, humidity, and temperature adding challenges.

After shooting, the plate goes back to the darkroom for developing. The staff carefully rinse off the chemicals, then slowly wash away any remaining residue with running water.

You have to be very careful, one slip and the image could be lost. This completes the fixing and washing process.

Yinghua Photography also offers a variety of costumes.

They even partner with a local Anping shop for traditional outfits like qipaos, so both men and women can dress up. It’s really fun! 😊

WU Coffee

Besides trying wet plate photography, you can also enjoy coffee and desserts inside the historic site!

There’s also an old vintage camera displayed inside!

They also offer unique international style snacks, including a modern twist on the classic German hot dog.

When you’re in Anping, Tainan, take a stroll to Dongxing Trading Post to check out the photography exhibition and experience the charm of oldschool photography.

Top 10 Things to Do in Anping Tainan (2025 Travel Guide)