tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post6697367710204101308..comments2024-03-04T06:12:38.695+13:00Comments on Photo-Sleuth: Sepia Saturday 93: Collodion positives, early coloured portraits in DerbyBrett Paynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07706734864792449845noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-58186883384383471442011-09-27T23:42:54.168+13:002011-09-27T23:42:54.168+13:00Good research and a very interesting post. Thanks...Good research and a very interesting post. Thanks!anyjazzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03319237414264543250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-64476849566412280272011-09-27T08:39:01.514+13:002011-09-27T08:39:01.514+13:00whowerethey - Yes, I think you are mistaken. Wiki...whowerethey - Yes, I think you are mistaken. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collodion_process" rel="nofollow">Wikipedia</a> has a concise history of the process, introduced in the early 1850s, and replaced in turn by gelatin dry plates in the 1880s. The albumen substrate used for photographic prints, as opposed to negatives, was used from the 1850s until around the turn of the century.Brett Paynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07706734864792449845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-71114356452415553342011-09-27T06:48:09.127+13:002011-09-27T06:48:09.127+13:00This is really fascinating. I had thought the coll...This is really fascinating. I had thought the colldion process was not used until the 1890s at which time it was used in cabinet card photography. Am I misunderstanding the various resources I have read?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-81076446523226338252011-09-26T21:22:35.110+13:002011-09-26T21:22:35.110+13:00a most delightful and informative post. thank you!...a most delightful and informative post. thank you!!<br />:)~<br />HUGZBruno Lalibertéhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09607511642101907283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-16954177539990515022011-09-26T17:06:04.395+13:002011-09-26T17:06:04.395+13:00Kristin & Rosie - Me too, it has a quality whi...Kristin & Rosie - Me too, it has a quality which is hard to define, but is quite different from the positive.<br /><br />Liz - Yes I hope so too, for your sake. With practice, it's often possible to tell what kind of photograph the original was, provided that you are working from decent scans, of course.<br /><br />Marilyn - It's worth considering that yours could originally have been taken in 1858, and then copied into that format at a later stage by some different process.<br /><br />Karen & Little Nell - Thank you and yes, I agree - so much better than being indoors in a smelly photographic studio, with a strange man making unusual demands.<br /><br />LisaB & Rob - And thank you for visiting.<br /><br />Pat in MN - I think perhaps that's a reflection of the discomfort of the pose she was asked to endure. What I hadn't considered, although I should have, since it now seems obvious to me, is that she was possibly further encumbered by a "neck clamp," a device used to keep sitters' heads still during long exposures. When done correctly they were not visible around the neck, although the base of the stands are sometimes visible on the floor. In this case, if there is one it is well hidden.<br /><br />Postcardy - The colour adds a little life, yes.<br /><br />Bob - If that's all I have achieved, then I've done my job :-)<br /><br />Sheila - That's an excellent story, which I must remember. Agaian, I think the almost frightened expression may be due to the awkward feeling of the neck clamp.<br /><br />T+L & Mike B - As with even modern photographer, the more light there is, the shorter the exposure time. Early photographers would therefore often photograph outdoors so that they could reduce exposure time, which for early photographic emulsions was fairly lengthy. Studios were designed with long rows of large windows to let in plenty of sunlight, and if there was enough natural light, then portraits culd even be taken indoors without brilliant sunshine. As emulsions became more sensitive, the times, and the need for sunshine, were reduced further.<br /><br />Christine - I'm glad that it was of some use then!<br /><br />Mike B - Regarding backgrounds, well that is not easily dealt with in the form of a comment. Backgrounds were extremely varied, from artists (painters and silhouette cutters) to booksellers to chimney sweeps. Perhaps it's worth doing a post on early Derby photographers and their origins at some stage.Brett Paynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07706734864792449845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-64952694793063717972011-09-26T16:27:32.215+13:002011-09-26T16:27:32.215+13:00Fascinating seems an inadequate word for this post...Fascinating seems an inadequate word for this post. The ad line on no sunshine required suggests that the public had some idea of how photography worked and how some early photos were poorly exposed.<br /><br />What kind of men took up the trade of photographer in this early period? Were they from a fine art background, or enterprising tradesmen? The development of modern chemistry must have attracted a kind of amateur scientist too. It was such a new technology, it must have been like the early days of computers when the entrepreneurs struggled and competed for customers.Mike Brubakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13065245846262417519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-6772302628767735282011-09-26T11:46:47.573+13:002011-09-26T11:46:47.573+13:00I really was not aware of the process, which is fa...I really was not aware of the process, which is fascinating.Christine H.https://www.blogger.com/profile/09786732494496282743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-35617161324114567192011-09-26T02:37:23.434+13:002011-09-26T02:37:23.434+13:00If you're interested in this stuff (and I am) ...If you're interested in this stuff (and I am) then this is a very interesting read. Thank you!Rob From Amersfoorthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05126935681056217032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-33670825563534177092011-09-25T11:26:03.410+13:002011-09-25T11:26:03.410+13:00Fascinating and important information. And I love ...Fascinating and important information. And I love the ads. The line saying "Sunshine not required" is priceless." And I always find it fascinating when the only thing tinted are the clothes. It does look like there is perhaps a wee bit of pink to her cheeks.Tattered and Losthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00208918251232477186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-45350010139397667692011-09-25T11:10:18.616+13:002011-09-25T11:10:18.616+13:00She looks frightened to me, poor soul. It immedia...She looks frightened to me, poor soul. It immediately reminded me of a friends son who had to go for an x-ray and asked if he really had to smile.Sheila @ A Postcard a Dayhttp://apostcardaday.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-72902979729866205332011-09-25T07:55:03.634+13:002011-09-25T07:55:03.634+13:00The amount of information you give always surprise...The amount of information you give always surprises me. I'll never take old photos for granted again.Bob Scotneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00662958579705940009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-51519799110625864892011-09-25T07:49:13.441+13:002011-09-25T07:49:13.441+13:00I think that the color really makes the photo more...I think that the color really makes the photo more interesting.Postcardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16399915833682943432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-40674155074070563212011-09-25T03:03:35.595+13:002011-09-25T03:03:35.595+13:00In the photo type of the girl, to me it appears th...In the photo type of the girl, to me it appears that her head was added to the portrait of her seated. Lots of information here today.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09093078029028920810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-50592040440080527232011-09-24T22:08:43.793+12:002011-09-24T22:08:43.793+12:00I agree with Kristin, I like the negative. It doe...I agree with Kristin, I like the negative. It does not portray the stern look on the face of the little girl as much....great post Brett.Rosiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06015301472659256675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-65890973954053908492011-09-24T21:07:30.132+12:002011-09-24T21:07:30.132+12:00The photo of the little girl is so beautiful, than...The photo of the little girl is so beautiful, thanks for another fascinating post.Lisa Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10562101358640638937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-50834122543374953652011-09-24T18:43:15.808+12:002011-09-24T18:43:15.808+12:00It's like dipping into an encylopaedia when we...It's like dipping into an encylopaedia when we visit your post Brett. The little girl doesn't look very relaxed and was obviously there under sufference. She'd probably rather be off playing somewhere.Little Nellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11862657943846727987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-83474605057183083652011-09-24T17:41:12.409+12:002011-09-24T17:41:12.409+12:00As usual you have given us such a source of great ...As usual you have given us such a source of great information! The young lady appears to be really ready to just go outside and play, don't you think!21 Witshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00071361755673253230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-28730691985148068522011-09-24T15:13:46.121+12:002011-09-24T15:13:46.121+12:00An amazing amount of information. I know nothing a...An amazing amount of information. I know nothing about the different photography processes<br />You asked my about the photo in my post, the photo is on card. I have seen a photo of one of my great grandfathers that was on glass but it was a lot later than the photo on my post p the one on glass was taken in the 1880's or 90's. Now I am wondering what process was used for my 1858 photo for it to be on card.Marilyn & Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00851884880790561276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-25849883440450396082011-09-24T14:55:28.236+12:002011-09-24T14:55:28.236+12:00Thank you for another thorough analysis! Knowing ...Thank you for another thorough analysis! Knowing potential alternate terms is very helpful.<br /><br />One of my current struggles is that many of the photos (various types) were reproduced. I can only hope that the suspected ambrotypes surface.Liz Strattonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14355785887810653358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599702957095945938.post-17304042554524408832011-09-24T14:17:50.794+12:002011-09-24T14:17:50.794+12:00She does not look pleased. I like the negative.She does not look pleased. I like the negative.Kristinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06413795611563683135noreply@blogger.com