Facebook Friend is Harbinger of Rediscovered Daguerreotype Technique
I recently joined the society of Facebook. My darling bride pokes fun at me for the amount of time that I spend on the service. By membership, regardless, in the group “The History of Photography is Cool!” has netted me a new friend. Richard (for anonymity) sent me this delightful message from out of the æther:
Hi there, I’m a budding wet plate artist from the UK. I’m about to start making Becquerrel Dags - just need to finish the Fume cupboard.
Do you ‘hypersensitize’ your plates to white light before exposing? I’ve read about this in the annual and would love to know if it works, as it would make portraits possible. Also, and this is going to sound daft, but have you ever tried ‘galvanising’ your plates with a battery during exposure?
I’ve been following your work for a while now, and like very much what you are doing.
All the best
Richard
Given the unforeseen nature of the message I was very pleased to respond:
Richard,
Thank you for contacting me and for your compliment. I appreciate that persons are willing and excited to use the Daguerreotype process. Unless I’m mistaken you will be the only active daguerreotypist in England. There is a brother of our society in Scotland, however.
I’ve never heard of hypersensitization. I imagine that it’s the same as flashing paper in the darkroom to get a boost in overall exposure time. It sounds to me like it would be difficult to accurately measure.
I’ve also never heard of galvanizing during exposure. I read with great interest the article provided in the link. How fascinating and worth of a test!
Becquerel dags are not very fast. I wouldn’t get your hopes up. Unless you’re willing to use Mercury then Bromine can’t be used as an exposure accelerant. I’m anxious to hear of your electronic daguerreotyping apparatus! Please keep me informed!
Cordially,
Jonathan Danforth
I’m fascinated by the idea of increasing the sensitivity of daguerreotypes by purposes of galvanization. Due to my increasing interest (nay obsession) with the steampunk movement I believe that it’s predestined for me to attempt such an unlikely hybrid of technologies.
Cheers, Richard!
-Jonathan
