The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1860-02-28
COMMUNICATIONS.
A Peep Behind the Ghr:ains of an
Ambrotyfst.

AmbFotyHst.
But little more than tMAty years has pass
ed since Dagucrrc first published his discovery
to the world, and yet Wit vast results have
sprung from his rcsearchesAle laid the f0un-
.dation of the 1leliograpis art, and others
building upon this foundsson, have reared
superstr,lcture, the nmesity and beauty OF
whose proportions, challcns& alike the admira-
ton of the Philosopher, hd the wonder OF
the peasant.
Through its own infringe merits. this beau
tinl art has extended Nelf almost over the
whole habtable globe, besing its beautiful Of
ferings to the houses ofInlHons- aliKe
the humble dwelling of tASpoor man, and the
costly mansion Of the richs we are all indcot'
ed somewhat to it-and Ats illustrous found
er: for, what heart is tltef that does not owe
some emotion Of pleasursSto that name who
laid the sun under llbntlon, compelling
him to producc-as itSftre, in q moment
images of beauty, for tll5 Srcation OF which the
artist hitherto had to spsG so much toll and
pcrsevering laborl VIE as he bends over
the image of some deparlA friend or relative,
and sazcs upon those; features, the shadow OF
which, at least, have been rescued from decay,
does rot bless the nameIof7 Dagicrre and all
It is our purpose to explain to some extent
how the Ambrotypc--tlleSsi simplest, as well as
the most beautiful and useful creation Of this
arts produced. This stsle Of "sun painting"
is so common that it il useless to go about
describing what it is, for almost every one III
this happy country of ofss, has sat before the
camera, t AID rci6ieas in is4 session of some
gcm, dropped from its prolific hand. But, it
may be well to premise that it is picture
most usually ON glass, theagh other substances
arc frequently used, such sas iron, leather, pa
per, &C.. but with each change Of material the
name also changes, thongh the process fol,
producing them is precise The same Those
pictures on iron being faIled Mclainotypcs;
those on leather, Leatherotypes; and those on
paper Neilographs. Ins England however,
they are all called ColIoaions; the Melaino-
types being called Coifsslions on iron; the
Neiorraphs, Collodions On paper and so for
the others. ColIodion tbeingfthc base, or re-
tanning medium of tho sensitisG coating by
which all pictures Of tlisfayle are produced. =
For the cntertainmcntEs ieTrcader VIC Will
now take our seat by thdSaltist and watch hlm
through the various .lnaeipnlatons, from the
cleaning of the plate uutf q fnis sbcd picture
is produced, penetrating into the secrets of
that mysterious '"dark roosp:@ where, we imag-
ncd in onr moro tvcrda,lv days, the artist re-
tired to do somctk:fg to- the picture,
by far too important to- ste Reformed before
tic vulgar gaze of the :dmtsatsil.
After the glass plato islt@es cleaned, which
is effected by securing itssith mixture S7.s OF
alcohol and rotten stS re sec 4 our hero OF
the thrcc-cgged instrFt llrsoyer it Goat
ing it very evenly al 3iN liquid, called Col
odon, after which iees TO the adark
room" and imn,erccg ses s's',ath, WHICH is Is
q solution 5 |: aS 9;IE;.z,A2i,'IEiS M,ss5hs
in this solution from two't& five minutes, and g
thin film of bromo-io -iodide of silver will be de-
posted on the surface T!lis coating is very
sensitive to light, and by its exposure in the
camera to the concentrated rays Of light from
the desired object, the picture is produced =
The plate is now taken out of the "batll" and
placed in the tablet, Or shield, and is ready for
exposure in the camera. Great care must now
be used to prevent any light from striking the
plate, for the least ray 81 White light falling on
it would greatly injurc if not cntirely spoil the
result
We will pass over the Arrangement of the
sitter, light, and exposure in the camera, as
every one knows the manner of this, and will
20 on to the next step, which is called '.dcrcl-
opng' the picture After exposure III the
camera, the plate is again taken 20 the clark
room," removed from the tablet, and it presents
white scmiopaquc appearance, without the
least sign of an image. being visible, but on be-
ing treated to solution Of suIphatc of iron
(coppcraSl, the image gradually appears as if
hy enchantmcnt This gradual appearance Of
tic picture is closely watched by the operator,
for on arrcsting it at the proper moment de-
ponds the beauty Of the picture. When tho
image is sufficiently plain, tle surface is thor
oughIy washed with water The picture in
this state, is not clear and distincr, ard if eX.
posed TO light for any considerable time, would
blnckcn and become useless. In order to rcn-
der it clear and permanent, We submit it to the
next process, which is termed fixing, and COLI
sists in pouring over the plate Il solution Of
cvaniLc of potassium, which will render it per
Ecctly clear and distinct This solution then
must be washed thoroughly from the. plate,
and the picture, after drying, is ready for the
finishing touches of the brush, which, in the
hands Of skiIinI artist, adds much to the
beauty Of the picture.
Thus we have hastily skctehcd the outlines
Of the ambrotypc. process, and although We
have not entered into scientific explanation
Of all its ninutac yet VIC trust we have said
enough 10 give pretty good idea Of the man
ncr they arc produced; and just here we would
. say, that if any one wishes to witness one OF
the most curious results of scientific chemical
combinations, let them call Oh any photograph
ic Or ambrotypc artist and ask an explaila-
ton. Almost any artist would take pleasure
in giving such explanations. There is certain
" something very wonderful! about the cre;,-
tions Of this beautiful art. The rays of light
from given object falling on prepared plate
mystcriously stamps an accurate though latent
image there which, under the treatment Of tic
skifu artist, springs as if by magic into life "a
thing of bcauty-a JOY forever"
THAT CANE.-We had the pleasure Of in