Daguerreotype

Can you find Image evidence of the technique? 

 

This is a Daguerrotype photo

When was it first discovered and by whom?

The Daguerreotype was the first successful photographic process, the discovery being announced on 7 January 1839.

What is special about the technique? 

 it is a mirror negative that makes one off images and it looks like the person is there.

How does this technique work? Can you find or describe the processes needed to make it work? Maybe illustrate how it is made.

 The process consisted of

• exposing copper plates to iodine, the fumes forming light-sensitive silver iodide. The plate would have to be used within an hour.
• exposing to light - between 10 and 20 minutes, depending upon the light available.
• developing the plate over mercury heated to 75 degrees Centigrade. This caused the mercury to amalgamate with the silver.
• fixing the image in a warm solution of common salt (later sodium sulphite was used.)
• rinsing the plate in hot distilled water.

Can you comment how important this technique has been for the history of photography. For example was it popular and is it still used today?

It is still used today because it was a great breakthrough in developing pictures and it is still really good way to make them. but you can only make one picture useing Daguerreotype