The Albumen Print - Photographic Processes Series - Chapter 6 of 12

Summary

The video discusses the invention and significance of the albumen print, introduced by Louis Désiré Blanquart-Evrard in 1850. This photographic process, characterized by the use of egg white and salt, became the dominant method in the 19th century, allowing for detailed, crisp images that could be mass-produced. The albumen print not only facilitated the creation of popular photographs of tourist sites but also transformed photography into a key medium for conveying and shaping knowledge and information, making it an essential tool in the era's aggressive marketing and communication strategies.

Takeaways

• 📸 The albumen print was invented in 1850 by Louis Désiré Blanquart-Evrard.
• 🖼️ It was the most popular photographic process of the 19th century.
• 🍳 Albumen prints use egg white, differentiating them from salted paper prints.
• ⚗️ The printing process involves floating paper on a solution of albumen and salt before exposure to silver nitrate.
• 🐔 Early albumen printing operations required large quantities of eggs, leading to chicken farming.
• ☀️ The albumen print allowed for precise and crisp images, enhancing the quality of photographs.
• 🏭 The rise of industrial photographic houses facilitated mass production and marketing of photographs.
• 🌍 Albumen prints were used to document tourist sites, reinforcing the idea that experiencing a photograph was essential.
• 📖 Photographically illustrated bibles were produced, linking photography to religious narratives.
• 📰 By the 1870s and 80s, albumen prints became crucial in shaping public knowledge and culture through visual media.

Q & A

What is the albumen print, and who invented it?

The albumen print is a photographic process invented by Louis Désiré Blanquart-Evrard in 1850. It became the most popular photographic process of the 19th century.

How does the albumen print differ from salted paper prints?

The primary difference is that albumen prints use egg white, while salted paper prints do not. However, the underlying process is similar.

What materials are used in the albumen printing process?

The albumen printing process uses paper floated on a solution of albumen (egg white) and sodium chloride (salt), followed by treatment with silver nitrate.

What was the significance of the albumen print in the 19th century?

The albumen print was significant because it was a cheap, easy, and precise way to prepare photographic paper, leading to mass production and distribution of photographs.

What role did chickens play in the albumen printing process?

Early albumen printing operations kept many chickens because a large quantity of eggs was needed to produce sufficient egg white for the prints.

How did the process of creating an albumen print work?

To create an albumen print, egg whites are beaten and mixed with salt, the paper is floated on this solution, dried to create a shiny surface, then treated with silver nitrate before exposure to light with a negative.

What distinguishes an albumen print from other types of prints?

An albumen print is characterized by an image suspended on a layer above the paper rather than being embedded in the paper fibers, resulting in a more precise and crisp image.

What was the impact of albumen prints on photography as a medium?

Albumen prints contributed to the rise of industrial photographic houses and mass marketing of photographs, shaping how people perceived experiences through imagery.

How did the albumen print contribute to the representation of historical and biblical sites?

Photographers like Frith used albumen prints to create photographically illustrated Bibles, capturing sites believed to be significant in biblical narratives, thereby shaping public knowledge and perception.

Why did the popularity of albumen prints decline by the end of the 19th century?

While the transcript does not specify, the decline in popularity likely occurred due to advancements in photographic technology and processes that offered improved quality and efficiency.