Wet Plate Process

Title: Wet Plate Process

Artist: Julia Margaret

Medium: Glass negatives

Year: 1850s through 1880s


Give a brief description of the movement, photographer, or term you researched. How are they significant to the history of photography (50-75 words)?

The wet plane process was invented in 1851. It marked an end to using eggs whites because it reduced exposure time, was grainless and colorless, and allowed for the first time a high quality duplication process or negative. It produced a very detailed print and made it easier to reproduce the prints. This was the way prints were taken for nearly 30 years. The process required a skilled hand and photographers many times used a portable dark room.




Write a short personal reaction to the movement, photographer or term you researched. What is interesting or not interesting about the work (50 – 75 words).

The exposure would often take 15 to 30 seconds. Since people had to stay still for that long photographers usually requested a somber face. Some used special props, tables, and iron clamps in the studio to keep the person still. In the field many photographers wanted their clients to lean against a pole or other solid object in order to produce a non-blurry picture.




Name (please only include if it is ok to publish on blog): Blaine Wm. Anderson