The Daguerreotype - Photographic Processes Series - Chapter 2 of 12

Summary

This transcript delves into the revolutionary impact of early photography, beginning with Nicephore Niepce’s pioneering discoveries in the 1820s and Louis Daguerre’s advancement of the daguerreotype process by 1839. It describes the technical aspects of creating daguerreotypes, their role in preserving images, and their influence on society, especially in America. The narration highlights the intimate, reflective quality of daguerreotypes, their exceptional permanence, and the emotional connection they create with the subjects. The preservation of daguerreotypes, including those at the George Eastman House, underscores their enduring significance.

Takeaways

• 📸 The invention of photography was a revolutionary event, profoundly changing people's perception of time and memory.
• 🖼️ Nicephore Niepce discovered that asphalt was sensitive to light, leading to the first known photograph in the 1820s, taken from a window.
• 🤝 Niepce partnered with Louis Daguerre, who continued Niepce's work after his death, ultimately perfecting the photographic process by 1839.
• 🔬 Daguerre's process involved a highly polished copper plate coated with silver iodide, which was exposed to light and developed using mercury fumes.
• 💡 Fixing the daguerreotype was crucial to prevent the image from further exposure and degradation, using a chemical called hypo.
• 🎥 The first commercially sold camera was the Giroux Daguerreotype camera, which popularized photography globally, except in England where there were fees.
• 🇺🇸 The daguerreotype became particularly popular in the United States, as Americans used it to document their westward expansion and preserve memories.
• 🏛️ George Eastman House holds one of the largest daguerreotype collections in the world, with over 3,500 pieces, including 1,500 French daguerreotypes.
• 🪞 A daguerreotype is both a negative and a positive image simultaneously, offering an intimate, reflective experience for viewers.
• ⏳ Daguerreotypes have proven to be a highly durable photographic method, with many images from the 1850s still in perfect condition today.

Q & A

What was one of the most revolutionary aspects of early photography?

One of the most revolutionary aspects was that photographs allowed people to capture images that looked exactly like what they saw, and for the first time, people could know what their ancestors looked like, even if they had died before they were born.

Who was Nicephore Niepce and what was his contribution to photography?

Nicephore Niepce was a French inventor who discovered that asphalt was sensitive to light. He used this discovery to create the earliest known photograph in the 1820s, capturing an image on a piece of pewter using asphalt.

How did Niepce’s process of photography work?

Niepce painted a solution of light-sensitive asphalt on a piece of glass, placed an engraving on top, and exposed it to light. The areas exposed to light hardened, and the unexposed parts were removed by a solvent, creating a photographic image.

What was Louis Daguerre’s role in the development of photography?

Louis Daguerre, initially a partner of Niepce, continued experiments after Niepce's death. He perfected a photographic process by 1839, known as the Daguerreotype, using a copper plate coated with silver and treated with iodine and mercury vapor to create images.

How was a Daguerreotype image developed?

After exposing a silver-coated copper plate in a camera obscura, the image would be invisible. When placed in a box with heated mercury vapor, the mercury fumes would reveal the image. The plate was then fixed to prevent further changes by exposure to light.

What was the significance of the Daguerreotype camera developed by Giroux?

The Giroux Daguerreotype camera was the first commercially manufactured camera. It marked the beginning of photography as an accessible technology that could be used by anyone, especially in America where it became very popular.

Why was the Daguerreotype particularly embraced by Americans?

Americans, especially those moving westward, embraced the Daguerreotype as it allowed them to capture memories and images of loved ones, helping them to stay connected to their roots as they ventured into new territories.

What makes daguerreotypes distinct from other types of photographs?

Daguerreotypes are both negative and positive images at the same time. They have incredible detail and were made directly from the subject, meaning that the plate used in the process was physically present in the room with the person being photographed.

What is the key to preserving daguerreotypes over time?

Daguerreotypes were placed in special cases to keep air away from the silver-coated plate, as air causes silver to tarnish. This preservation method has allowed daguerreotypes from the 1850s to remain in perfect condition even today.

What is the role of George Eastman House in the preservation of daguerreotypes?

The George Eastman House, which has one of the largest collections of daguerreotypes in the world, preserves these historical images, maintaining over 3,500 daguerreotypes, including 1,500 French examples.