With the advent of digital photography, millions of new photographers appeared "overnight". But who remembers the beginnings of photography and its development?
One day, Aristotle discovered a phenomenal phenomenon... that would change the world!
Through a window, the light entering inside a room can be used to reproduce the scene from the outside against the opposite wall, thanks to reflected light rays passing through that small opening!
Since that magical find, the "illuminati" of photography surpassed themselves to find a way to fix that reflected image on a stable support.
From ancient Aristotle until today a large number of techniques have been developed. The best known is the silver type, still used today by professionals and expert amateurs.
My favorite technique is that of "Gum bichromate", created by Alphonse Poitevin in the mid 19th century.
It consists in mixing pigment and potassium dichromate in a gum arabic solution.
This solution is applied using a brush on heavy paper, previously glued and free of brighteners and acidity.
Once this photosensitive layer has dried, one can conduct insolation using a UV lightbox or direct sunlight.
We have the choice between monochrome, multiple colours, three-colour or four-colour versions.
This is a capricious technique but gives beautiful results. To master it, you have to be patient and have nerves of steel. You need a working environment with stable temperature and humidity.
One day, Aristotle discovered a phenomenal phenomenon... that would change the world!
Through a window, the light entering inside a room can be used to reproduce the scene from the outside against the opposite wall, thanks to reflected light rays passing through that small opening!
Since that magical find, the "illuminati" of photography surpassed themselves to find a way to fix that reflected image on a stable support.
From ancient Aristotle until today a large number of techniques have been developed. The best known is the silver type, still used today by professionals and expert amateurs.
My favorite technique is that of "Gum bichromate", created by Alphonse Poitevin in the mid 19th century.
It consists in mixing pigment and potassium dichromate in a gum arabic solution.
This solution is applied using a brush on heavy paper, previously glued and free of brighteners and acidity.
Once this photosensitive layer has dried, one can conduct insolation using a UV lightbox or direct sunlight.
We have the choice between monochrome, multiple colours, three-colour or four-colour versions.
This is a capricious technique but gives beautiful results. To master it, you have to be patient and have nerves of steel. You need a working environment with stable temperature and humidity.
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