10 Things You Never Knew About The Evolution of Cameras

3. The Wet Plate Collodion Process: Speed and Precision

The mid-19th century saw the emergence of the wet plate collodion process, which offered photographers unprecedented speed and precision. Frederick Scott Archer invented this method, which involved coating a glass plate with collodion and sensitizing it in a silver nitrate solution. The wet plate had to be exposed and developed while still damp, requiring photographers to carry portable darkrooms. Despite its complexity, this process produced negatives that could be easily reproduced, leading to the widespread distribution of photographs. It marked a turning point in the accessibility and dissemination of visual information, influencing journalism and documentation.