henry-fox-talbot-calotype-paper-negative-postive
Cavalry camp near Balaklava. Roger Fenton.

A salt paper negative image produced on paper by William Henry Fox Talbot (Talbotype) that was monochromatic, tonally and laterally reversed – a negative.

When placed in contact with another chemically treated surface and exposed to sunlight, the negative image was transferred in reverse – a positive.

Salt used to inhibit further exposure of chemically sensitized paper (light-safe).

Eventually switched to hyposulphite of soda which removed unexposed silver completely to stabilize the image and waxed the paper to enhance detail.

william-henry-fox-talbot-calotype
William Henry Fox Talbot

Paper negative to Paper positive. Views more resembled graphic works, preferable to artists and elitists due to aesthetic objects rather than informational documents.

Enough detail as a basis for copying. Accurate views led to topographical paintings. Display accurate scale.

Journeys from Great Britain to Italy, Greece and North Africa ensued.

Documentation rendered service to science. Antiquity.

calotype-paper-negative-egypt

Commission on Historical Monuments and used by masons and architects to restore ancient monuments. Documented the countryside, railroad lines and natural disasters.

Artists sought to maintain balance between affective expression and the descriptive clarity.

Recalled viewers to their biblical and classical heritage. Eventually waxed the paper to enhance detail. Commission on Historical Monuments. Used by masons and architects to restore ancient monuments. Documented the countryside, railroad lines and natural disasters. Artists sought to maintain balance between affective expression and the descriptive clarity.

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