Lens Based Image Making Self Directed

There are many types of pre 20^th century photography; the three types I have chosen are Cyanotype, Ambrotype, and Stereocards.

 

Cyanotypes occasionally produced during the period of 1840-1880. Most examples originate from the late 1880s to 1920.  It has a matte surface and bright uniform blue image color. Little image fading occurs, although it is hard to say what is faded and what was light to begin with.

 

Ambrotype was in use from 1855 to about 1865, but enjoyed its greatest popularity in the late 1850s. Several opaque, non-reflective supports were used with the Ambrotype, including dark red or purple glass, and clear glass backed with black velvet or black varnish. Most Ambrotypes were put in protective cases like those used for daguerreotypes. As with daguerreotypes, ambrotypes sometimes exhibit hand painted/tinted highlights and flesh tones.

 

Stereocards were produced in massive numbers in both Europe and America from about 1850 to well into the 20th century, and are still produced in small numbers today. They provide a way of showing a scene in three dimensions, which adds to the realism of presentation. The most usual format is on a cardboard mount, 7 inches wide by 3.5 inches tall, with two similar, but not identical, views places side by side. The slight difference in the two images allows for the optical illusion of depth. Stereocards are viewed in a Stereoscope.

 

This is an example of very early photography.

 

 

The traditional process of photography in the 20th century were made and produced in darkrooms using the darkroom trays and stop baths.

 

Film based photgraphy has to be developed over time and isnt produced insantly and cannot be edited digitaly like digital photography where it can be viewed and edited straight away.