Left is a whole plate daguerreotype that I made while working with a student over the summer. This image is of my son’s Tonka truck which was conveniently parked in the back garden near the workshop/studio/laboratory. I’ve found that Edward’s toys are much more likely to remain still for 90+ second exposures than he is himself. There is evidence of slight tinting by the gilding solution in the corners. I suspect that I did not allow a large enough of meniscus of gilding solution on the surface and dry spots occurred.
I love how the depth of field worked out in this image. The highlights are as good as they can get with the Becquerel method and there remains a tidy level of shadow detail to boot. I made this image rather hastily (only insomuch as this preposterous escapade of daguerreotypie will allow) so I’m pleased with the outcome all the more.
My three year old has claimed this image as his own; sorry, not for sale. It’s probably a safe bet that mine is the only three year old in the world that can effortlessly pronounce daguerreotype although I have my suspicions about the Robinson children.
Jonathan