Among the most fascinating and underappreciated types of nineteenth-century photography is tintype. Tintype photography has been more significant in cultural heritage since its discovery. Numerous images can serve as both art items and a testament to our ancestors’ lives and are found in archives, museums, and private collections. This study describes the application of optical microscopes and technical photography using multispectral cameras to characterize the surface and deterioration features of tintype images. Natural light that is reflected enables for direct observation of the object. The purpose of IR radiation was to locate the varnishes’ sources and determine whether collodion was present. It is possible to observe the surface morphology of the object by using raking light. Transmitted light to highlight material losses and determine which areas of the object are opaque. UV radiation makes it possible to record and observe surface processes that are invisible to the naked eye. Multispectral camera data were especially useful in showing the abrasions and gaps, some degradation chemicals, surface morphologies, and the distribution of varnish layers. The physical characterization of the artifacts, which included identifying the areas with retouches, areas with degradation, and the red pigments on the lips and cheeks, was made easier with the help of an optical microscope.