The Dawn of Photography: From Paper to Glass explores the origins of photography, tracing its evolution from William Henry Fox Talbot’s groundbreaking invention of the calotype paper negative process in 1841 to Frederick Scott Archer’s transformative introduction of the wet plate collodion process in 1851.
Category Archives: Calotype Paper Negative
Handmade Calotype Paper Negatives
As an artist, I’ve come to believe that most people ultimately associate each artist with one defining body of work—one vision, one process that becomes their signature. Whether this is fair or not, it reflects how memory functions and how art lingers in the minds of others.
New Le Gray Waxed Calotype Paper Negative
Over the past several weeks, I have been working through the 1851 Le Gray waxed paper negative workflow, which he developed based on Dr. Guillot-Saguez’s earlier improvements in 1847. In this article, I share my motivation for trying the Le Gray pre-waxed version and my results.
AI vs. Analog: Why True Craftsmanship Matters in a Digital Age
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force in many creative fields, but for those who practice a fully analog workflow, its impact feels largely peripheral. My work, rooted in the historical calotype paper negative process and other handcrafted analog methods, remains untouched by the influence of AI because every step, from creating the negative to the final print, is done by hand, using materials and techniques that predate digital technologies by over a century. This purity in the process offers a refuge for collectors and art buyers seeking authenticity and historical continuity in a world increasingly dominated by algorithmic interventions. It is an opportunity to emphasize the distinction between analog craftsmanship and workflows that integrate digital tools.
The Dawn of Photography: Innovations That Led to the Calotype
The history of photography is a story of human ingenuity, persistence, and the unyielding desire to capture the fleeting beauty of the world around us. It begins in the early 18th century with Johann Heinrich Schulze, whose discovery of light-sensitive silver compounds was the first step in a long journey toward permanent photographic images. From Schulze’s fleeting photograms to Carl Wilhelm Scheele’s discovery of ammonia as a fixer and Thomas Wedgwood’s early experiments with silver nitrate-coated paper, these pioneering efforts laid the groundwork for future breakthroughs.
3 Key Tips for Making Ultra Large Format Calotype Paper Negatives
This article will share valuable insights and practical tips I’ve gained while creating ultra-large-format handmade calotype paper negatives.
Of all the photographic processes I’ve explored over the past four decades, the handmade calotype paper negative holds a special place in my heart. While it was incredibly challenging to master initially—even with smaller formats like 4×5 and 5×7—the effort was well worth it. The early frustrations, including subtle chemistry quirks, gradually became a deeply rewarding practice. With patience, persistence, and a lot of experimentation, the process transforms into something magical.
Making New Lensboards For My Large Format Graflex 5×7 SLR Camera
Tim Jr. and I crafted new lens boards for my 1906 Graflex 5×7 Auto camera, and I captured the entire process in a video. The 5×7 Graflex Auto is a remarkable piece of vintage equipment. It showcases just how advanced and enduring camera design was over a century ago. Despite its age, this camera remainsContinue reading “Making New Lensboards For My Large Format Graflex 5×7 SLR Camera”