Summary of "Early Photography: Making Daguerreotypes"
daguerreotypes were a popular form of early photography in the 19th century, spreading quickly across Europe and America.
The process of making a daguerreotype was labor-intensive and required skill and specific equipment.
The daguerreotype plate was made of copper faced with silver, which had to be polished and made light-sensitive using iodine and bromine.
The exposure process involved placing the light-sensitive plate in a camera and removing the lens cap for a long exposure time.
After exposure, the plate was developed using liquid mercury and fixed with a solution of hyposulfite of soda.
The final steps included finishing the plate with a solution of chloride of gold and assembling it in a decorative case for safe-keeping and display.
Daguerreotype studios produced a large number of images annually, with a significant retail industry around the practice.
Speakers/sources
- Voiceover
Category
Educational
