Collecting photographs is a hobby that has been going strong ever since photography was invented in 1839. Today most of us share images digitally, and for more than a century before this we exchanged photographs printed on paper. But before paper prints really gained popularity in the late 1860s, three distinct techniques gave us daguerreotype, ambrotype and tintype. The difference between them is in their “support,” or, simply speaking, in the type of surface on which the image appeared.
Camera Obscura and the Invention of the Daguerreotype
In 1839, Louis Jacques Mande Daguerre found a way to fix an image created by a
camera obscura. Camera obscura is, basically, a dark room or a box with a small hole in one wall. Light streams through the hole creating an image of whatever it is that is caught in its path on the opposite wall. According to some sources, it has been in existence since at least 400 B.C.E. But it took more than two thousand years for humankind to figure out a way to “fix” the image produced by the camera permanently. Monsieur Daguerre found a way to do that by using a highly polished sheet of silver-plated copper and certain chemicals, thus firmly cementing his position in history as the Father of Photography.
History of Daguerreotypes
For the first time ever, people were able to obtain a likeness of themselves and their loved ones without paying for a painted portrait. However, it had its drawbacks. The exposure time was quite lengthy, so lengthy it lead to the invention of a special chair with a head clamp that prevented the subject from moving. This explains the stiffness of the posture that we observe in many old photographs. Long exposures also made it virtually impossible to photograph children who refused to sit still. Daguerreotype had to be stored in a special, frequently expensive, case to protect it from scratches. Also, not everyone liked its highly reflective, mirror-like surface, which sometimes made it difficult to see the image without tilting it. And though the process was less expensive than hiring a painter, it was still expensive enough that only the wealthy could afford it.
Invention of the Ambrotype
Market demanded faster and cheaper options, and soon enough the ambrotype came into existence. Ambrotype used a glass plate coated on one side with a wet, light-sensitive substance. Since the image fixed on the glass was negative, it had to be displayed against a black backdrop, either in a special case or by painting the back side of the plate with black paint. Regardless of which method was selected though, a special case would still be necessary, since glass plates were quite fragile. Ambrotype’s biggest weakness was the need to take a picture within 15 minutes of coating the plate. But a more affordable price made it much more popular than daguerreotype, almost completely supplanting it by the late 1850s.
Invention of the Tintype
Technological innovation did not stop there, and ambrotype was itself replaced in the 1860s by tintype which was much faster, easier and cheaper to produce. Despite “tin” in its name, it is actually a thin sheet of lacquered (japanned) iron. Tintypes were less fragile than glass ambrotypes, thus erasing the need for expensive protective casing. The developing process took about 15 minutes from start to finish and could be accomplished anywhere. For the first time, photographers could travel and take pictures of customers on location - at fairs, carnivals and special events. Lightweight and durable, tintypes became the preferred likeness of the loved ones that soldiers carried in their jacket pockets during the Civil War.
Daguerreotype, ambrotype and tintype were photographs produced directly on metal or glass support. Thus to distinguish between the three types, we need to figure out which support was used. The first two come in special cases, with daguerreotype being heavier and more reflective than ambrotype. Tintype may or may not be in a case, but since it is made of iron, it is easily identifiable with the help of a magnet.
19th Century Photography vs. Digital Photography
All three types were created as one-of-a-kind images and could not be reproduced. Innovation, of course, was marching on, and, eventually, they were displaced by negative photography and paper prints that could be duplicated, which, in turn, were virtually replaced by digital photography. But what we gained in convenience, we lost in quality. A well-preserved photograph taken in the middle of the 19th century shows a more detailed and sharp image than a photograph taken today.
Collecting Daguerreotypes, Ambrotypes, and Tintypes
Collecting 19th century photographs can be extremely rewarding for a variety of reasons, aesthetics and preservation among them. Type, genre, subject, size, price all come into play when we decide what type of collection we would like to have. Whatever it is, your local antique store is a great place to start. Wander around and see what images speak to you from across the ages. Once you know, you can dedicate your time to searching out the photos that fit your collecting criteria. Happy hunting!
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