Photo History Assignment #2

1. What is a daguerreotype? What did the surface of a daguerrotype resemble? When were they prominent? What photographic process did the daguerrotype replace? A daguerreotype is the first successful photographic process. The surface looked like a silvered copper plate. The daguerrotype created very sharp images because the picture is on a mirrored silver surface. The daguerreotype replaced the camera obscura process.

2. What is an "albumen" print? What was the main "ingredient" of the albumen process? When did the albumen process die out? Albumen print was the method of a print on a "paper base" from negative. The main ingredient is egg whites. The paper is covered in egg whites and salt then dried. The process died out in the mid 19th century.

3. What is a "stereograph?" When were they popular? A stereograph is an illusion of depth in a picture. (Almost like we have 3-D movies today) This was first invented in 1838 but it became popular again in the 1950s 

4. What is a "carte de visite?" What were they used for? A carte de visite is a small photo that is made out of a thin paper and then later put onto a thicker photo paper. They were mostly used for trading with family and friends or sending in the mail. Much like a postcard today.

5. Who were Mathew Brady and Alexander Gardner? They both are notable for what type of photography? When were they active? Post two noteworthy photographs for each photographer.They are both great photographers that moved to America to pursue their photographic career. Alexander Gardener was a main photographer of the civil war. He would then often sell his negatives to Mathew Brady who would reproduce the image and sell those photos. They were most active during the 1860s and civil war time. 

Mathew Brady

Mathew Brady

Alexander Gardner

Alexander Gardner