In the year 1851, Frederick Scott Archer, an English photographer, made a significant breakthrough in the field of photography by inventing the process known as wet collodion. This process represented a considerable improvement over previous photographic methods, such as the daguerreotype, being cheaper, faster and more versatile.
Wet Collodion: A Photographic Innovation
Wet collodion was based on the use of a liquid solution called collodion, which consisted of a mixture of ether, alcohol and cellulose nitrate. This solution was applied to glass plates, creating a photosensitive surface on which an image could be captured.
The Photographic Process
The wet collodion photography process involved several meticulous steps. First, a layer of collodion was applied to a clean, dry glass plate. The plate was then immersed in a silver nitrate solution, which sensitized it to light. The plate was placed in a dark chamber and exposed to light for a set period of time. After exposure, plaque was developed immediately, usually within 15 minutes of exposure, using a solution of iron and acetic acid developer. Finally, the image was fixed in a sodium hyposulfite solution to stop the developing process and make the image permanent.
Advantages of Wet Collodion
Wet collodion offered several advantages over previous photographic methods. Firstly, it was faster than the daguerreotype, since the exposure time was significantly shorter. This allowed photographers to capture images more quickly and efficiently. Additionally, wet collodion was more economical than the daguerreotype, as glass plates were more affordable than the metal plates used in the earlier process.
Impact and Legacy
The invention of wet collodion by Frederick Scott Archer had a significant impact on the world of photography. This process quickly became the preferred method of image capture during the second half of the 19th century, largely replacing the daguerreotype and calotype. Wet collodion allowed for greater versatility and creativity in photography, while opening up new possibilities in terms of speed and cost.
Frederick Scott Archer's legacy lives on in the history of photography as one of the pioneers who contributed to the development and evolution of this art form. His invention of wet collodion marked a turning point in the history of photography, paving the way for future innovations and advances in the field.