The daguerreotype was the first successful photograph introduced in 1839 in Paris by inventor, Louis Jacque Mande Daguerre. This new photograph was dubbed a "truthful likeness" due to its intricate capture and display of minute details.
American photographers were so enthralled by this amazing photographic product, that, by 1850, more than 70 daguerreotype studios opened just within New York City. The daguerreotype photo was an affordable option for portraiture to people from the middle class.
The process involved in making the daguerreotype began with a piece of copper sheet upon which a thin plate of silver was applied. Much effort was given in cleaning and polishing this sheet of silver plated copper in preparation for its sensitization with iodine, a process during which it was shielded from the light before being placed into the camera.
Once in the camera, the plated copper captured its intended image upon its subsequent exposure to light. A disadvantage to those sitting for their portrait(s), this part of the photographing process required more time than was ideal, often taking up to 15 minutes. This amount of time was difficult for people when sitting out in the hot sunlight.
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Chemical processing and application were necessary to make the image materialize to view, and once developed, to keep it from fading away. The size of plated copper sheets used varied from 1 3/8" x 1 5/8" (1/16th sheet) up to 6 1/2" x 8 1/2" (whole sheet). (Daguerreotypes displayed here are from the Library of Congress.)
Daguerreotypes were very popular but for a short time. A newer process of photography developed in the latter 1850's produced an image called an ambrotype. This photographic product involved less sitting time for the subject of the image, making it more appealing to consumers.
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