Chapter Two: Pre-Digital Photographic Technology

Photo By: Unknown

Image Source: http://wetplates.blogspot.com/2012/01/wet-plate-collodion-photographyits.html

In 1851 Frederick Archer discovered the wet plate process of photography, or also known as collodion process. a simple process of mixing three different chemicals and then dissolving it in collodion. then it is poured onto a clear glass plate until the mixture is formed into a gel. the plate is then placed in silver nitrate causing different chemical reactions. wile the plate is still wet, it is then placed in the camera where it is exposed thus creating an image.(Wikipedia)

This technology was one of the very first ways that photojournalism came to be. people have always favored the sharp, clear, and antique look of the photographs. despite the extensive process it was to create them. the way that photojournalists used this was during the civil war era. for the first time people from all over where able to see first hand what was going on in the battle field. (Civil War Trust)

Over time the process became more of an art form that photographers could experiment with. they stopped using wet plate because the trick was that you had to use the plate before it dried. and with steps that were long and drawn out, it gave you no more then 10 minutes to complete everything from start to finish. making it very difficult to capture intense war scenarios. (Wikipedia)

Photo By: Kayla Desmarais

Above is a picture of an antique doorknob that was in the home of one of my home health care patients. i love the mixture of materials that were used to make it. the glass knob, iron base, and gold accent. placed on a flat white background. when the light hits it in the correct way it makes a rainbow effect that is breathtaking

Even though there is hundreds of years in between the above two pictures there are still some things that each share in common.

• both of them create an image
• both capture what ever the photographer focuses on
• and both are very portable

Some things that the wet plate only has 

• combination of chemicals
• takes over 10 minutes to complete
• people must stand extremely still or photo will not come out

Some things that the digital camera only has

• takes less than 5 seconds
• you can change the looks of the image using filters
• uses pixels instead of chemicals

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