Daguerreotype Process Overview

Daguerreotype Process

• A copper sheet is plated with silver, then polished to a mirror finish.
• The plate is sensitized in a light-tight box with iodine and bromine vapors, turning the surface yellow.
• The reaction of iodine vapor with silver creates light-sensitive silver iodide.
• The sensitized plate is then exposed in a camera.
• Development involves exposing the plate to heated mercury fumes, creating a milky white image.
• The mercury amalgamates with silver to form the image.
• Fixing the image uses a solution of sodium chloride (table salt) or sodium thiosulfate (hypo).
• The image is intensified by treating it with gold chloride.
• The final step involves washing the plate with distilled water and drying.