Wet Plate Collodion Photography - Frederick Archer

[Michael Wong]

In honor of Frederick Scott Archer (1813–1857) , the inventor of theWet Plate Collodion photographic process, a new commemorative plaquewill be unveiled on his grave (Square 120 by the canal) on Saturday,May 1, 2010. The Collodion Collective and World Wet Plate Day organizedand is sponsoring this event. There will be a live Wet Plate Collodiondemonstration, and an exhibition of Wet Plate Collodion work fromartists throughout the world at the Dissenters' Chapel from 24th Aprilto 8th May 2010.

Dissatisfied with the poor definition and contrast of the Calotype andthe long exposures needed, Scott Archer invented the new process in1848 and published his process in 'The Chemist' in March 1851. Thisenabled photographers to combine the fine detail of the Daguerreotypewith the ability to print multiple paper copies like the Calotype. Thissingle achievement, which preceded the modern gelatin emulsion, greatlyincreased the accessibility of photography for the general public andchanged photography forever.

The ceremony is by invitation only. Please contact Quinn Jacobson([e-mail]) or Carl Radford ([e-mail]) for moreinformation.