A Tale of two Tin-types

Last Sunday the Social Daunce Irregulars in conjunction with Los Encinos State Historic Park put on an event called a Victorian Day in the Park. Frolics were had, a little dancing was done (less than anticipated because of the heat) and pictures were made. I've had my picture made in the wet plate process before and have had great results. But take a look at the variability of this process.

I love the first picture, I think the bustle dress looks great, but wha' happened to the contrast? I wore the dress on purpose because of the bright pink embroidery on the white background. This kind of process is very sensitive to contrast. Maybe standing in front of a white wall wasn't the best idea, they had set up early or I would have suggested something else as a backdrop. Here's the dress in real life.

I'm stumped, maybe it was the fact that I was glistening from the humidity, a rare thing in my part of So. Ca. I will try it again. They can do better!