The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-02-18


The greatest objection to amateur photo.
graphy has been the expense of the chemi-
icals hitherto required, and their cumbrous
nature tor those who are rapidly passing
from spot to spot. These objections now
seem to be most efectually obviated, and We
recommend attention 10 the following ae-
count Of what is called The Dry Collodion
Process" whereby, with prepared plates,
that may be easily obtained at any scientific
photographer, the veriest tyro may procure
as many representations of the scenes
through which he is passing at small ex-
pense and without any trouble or fear of
failure.
II is but few years since when we heard
with surprise and somo incredulity, that
light could he made to delineate images OF
external objects upon chemically prepared
tablets, placed in the camera obseura. Now
photography stares us in the face at every
corner-that which was wonderful has be
come familar-that which was mysterious
is singularly common.
In cities we see glass houses on at least
one roof in every street. In villages cara
vans with Brown and Jones, photographers,
are regularly found. On the hills we disco
yer the tent, and in the valleys the camera.
by the river side there is the mysterious
head hid len in the dark curtains of u dark
box, and upon the seashore the tripod stand
is securely fixed in the sands, and biped is
evidently focusing for the next fine ocean
wave. The sketcher has fed to his own e..
pecial solitudes, and the photographer has
usurped his pl'
1t has been said of the most recent OF
Photographic processes, as was well said Of
the Octosyllabic verse. that it possessed
unfortunate facilities This is true in
many respects Of the positive colodion pro-
cess, by which the myriads Of sad reflections
on humanity are perpetrated. Not 30. how
ever, is il with the negative processes. by
which alone We can multiply the beautiful
things which the solar pencil traces with
such rare fidelity. The labor attendant up
on Photographic tour is great. and real
enthusiasm alone carries the amateur for
ward The camera obscura and the stand
are burden, and with the tent and the
chemical box they becouIe a real load
Then there il the uncertainty attendant
upon the processes. We deal with the mic
est chemical adjustments. The balance is
arranged with caution for a certain set Of
conditions alter but one Of these and all
goes wrong We leave home in the morn,
ing, We work in the dark all day and we
return jided at night to find we have OBJ
tained-nothlng.
Sensitive as the colloIion proce is, and
charming as are the results when all goes on
successfully, i, has not hitherto been pro-
cess which can be practised out Of doors
without many extraordinary, expensive and
troublesome appliances.
1t il, therefore, with very much satisfic-
ton that we have watched the progress of
the so called " Dry Collodion Processes. -
Nearly all the processes that have been
putlishcd-thc Gelatine,' the "Oxymel,'
the Gvcrrine." and othcrs-have much
that is excellent in them bat it appears to
Is that "a dry colIodion process, devised by
Mr. Long, of which he has recently pub
lishcd a description, is more simple and ef-
fctive than any other We have seen
beautiful pictur,s obtained in Belgium, up,
on plates prepared in England, and which
plates were brought to this couairy again
before the pictures were developed.
Any man may previously to starting on
his journey, prepare or purchase prepared
IA stock OF glass plates. Armed with these
and his camera, he may proceed 10
Where the bleak Swiss their stormy mension
tread
And force chursh soil for scanty bread.
Or to that
sea Cybele, fresh from ocean.
Rising with her tiara of proud towers.
And, resting on bs way, he may adjust his
camera and his plate, and in the few min.
utes which. under any circumstances. he
would spend IN observation, he secures
picture for future study--a Photograph
TO give him pleasure in the quiet Of his
home
Mr. Long has published little treatise
with which we head this article, and by fol-
loving out the simple directions which he
gives, all may succeed in obtaining the i'm
portant desderatum--a parcel Of highly
sensitive plates which can be packed in
pape- and slowed away in a portmanteau,
10 be drawn out as occasion may require, t.
he returned again 10 the same package,
without having any Of the annoyances at
,endant upon box Of liquid chemicals and
a plate which can be kept with il dormant
picture quite uniajured until the photogra.
pher on his arrival home. at his perfect
leisure, in his own operating room. can
develop tine Photograph which he has Oh.
tanned
Sach are the facilities ofrcl by this i'm
provement that We may expect almost
every traveller will avail himself Of il. and
thus secure for his own portfolio, and the
portfolios Of his friends views OF sones hal.
lowed by their historical associatIons--oi
ruins rendered sacred from the sacred ura.
morics which still wrap them in their sha-
dows. a. the mantllug ivy clothes their