Web Assignment 2: Daguerrotypes

1.  A daguerreotype, which was invented in 1839, is a photograph that is taken by an early process using an iodine-sensitized silver plated surface and mercury vapor.  This kind of photograph resembles a mirror because the image is, at an angle, is reflected off of the silver surface to create a dark image.  They were popular and prominent during the time period of 1840-1855, and it replaced the process of the camera obscura.

2.  An albumen print was the first type of development of a photograph that used a profitable and notable method of using negative made paper.  Ablumen, found in egg whites, was the main ingredient of the process because it could fuse photographic chemicals together to the paper. The entire process died out around 1920.

3.  A stereograph is a specific technique that is used to show the depth in a picture by placing the to 2D images together in order to form a 3D image while using a stereoscope.  The technique, which was invented in 1860, was very popular then and for the next few decades.

4.  A carte de visite was a tiny albumen print that was commonly used as photo cards throughout the 1800's.

5.  Matthew Brady as a well known American photographer during the 1800's who was made famous by his photos of celebrities and records of the American Civil War.  Alexander Gardner, a Scottish photographer,was famous in the United Sates, from his images of the Civil War and of Lincoln.  Both of them are notable for daguerrotype photography and they were active during the Civil War time period.

Web Assignment 1: Nicephore Niepce

A) Nicephore was a famous French inventor and is known for creating the first known photograph in 1825.  Before he experimented with photography, at age thirty, he served in the army under Napoleon's rule, and later, he went home to continue his scientific research with his mother and siblings.  When first exploring with camera obscuras, he would be able to create photographs but it would only last temporarily, for it would soon fade away.

B) He is known for creating the first photograph, which he took of the view from the Window at Le Gras.
C) It was the first photograph ever taken, and it was produced on a polished pewter plate covered with petroleum, which hardens when exposed to light.
D)  It was taken in France of a view of the Window at Le Gras.
E)  It took a a day of exposure of about eight hours, and then the plate was exposed, and he washed the picture with a mixture of lavender oil and while petroleum in order to wash away any bitumen that had not been hardened by the light.
F) The photo was taken in 1825.
EXTRA CREDIT) It was kept in Texas, but is now located in Germany