The Process
Quinby, photographer
[Two girls]
Sixth-, ninth-, and sixteenth-plate
daguerreotypes, between 1850-1860
Prints & Photographs Division (122.6)
Gift/purchases
Photographer unidentified
[Augusta Currie Bradhurst Field]
Sixth-, ninth-, and sixteenth-plate
daguerreotypes, between 1850-1860
Prints & Photographs Division (125.11)
[digital ID# cph3d02149]
Gift/purchases
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The daguerreotype is a direct-positive process, creating a highly
detailed, unique image on a sheet of copper coated with silver.
The process was labor intensive and required great care in processing.
The plates, manufactured in standard sizes, had first to be cleaned
and polished to a mirrored finish. Next, the plate was sensitized
with iodine until it took on a yellow-rose appearance. The plate
was then transferred to the camera and exposed to light. Later
the plate was developed over hot mercury until an image appeared,
which was fixed in a salt solution and then toned with gold chloride.
Photographer unidentified
[Man with cat]
Sixth-, ninth-, and sixteenth-plate
daguerreotypes, between 1850-1860
Prints & Photographs Division (125A.2)
[digital ID# cph3d01979]
Gift/purchases
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