Daguerreotype, 1851
9
The calotype and the daguerreotype are the first two recognized forms of photography, and both made unique contributions to the history of photography.
plain
2020-11-21T19:12:39-08:00
The calotype and the daguerreotype are the first two recognized forms of photography, and both made unique contributions to the history of photography. This image is an example of a daguerreotype, illustrating a man in a suit, posing for his portrait in a fairly serious manner. To this day, daguerreotypes are images with the highest possible resolution, yet preserving these images could be very difficult as we can see by the marks and discoloration present throughout the image. When Louis Daguerre presented his invention to members of the French Academy of Sciences, they recognized that the daguerreotype was an effective way to document history, and this image is an excellent example showing that it can. While there were many painters with the skills to paint a miniature portrait such as this, the invention and popularization of the daguerreotype allowed for the portrait process to be much quicker, allowing busy men and women to be etched into history without taking up too much of their time. Daguerreotypes were made on silver-coated metal plates, which can tarnish when exposed to air, and they were developed using mercury fumes, which are extremely dangerous and toxic. Most daguerreotyped images we encounter, including this photograph, have been reproduced onto paper, making them easier to see and to circulate. The technology of photography has progressed exponentially since the daguerreotype, but its importance should not be overlooked.
