I can only hope to some day master a technique that "mirrors the truth"

Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre invented the daguerreotype process in 1839. European and American photographers greeted the process with enthusiasm. Celebrities and political figures were invited to photographers' studios in the hopes of obtaining a likeness for display in their windows and reception areas. The Photographic studio became a museum. By 1850, there were over 70 daguerreotype studios in New York City alone. Popularity of the daguerreotype declined in the late 1850s when a faster and less expensive photographic process, became available. A few contemporary photographers have revived the process.

The Process:

A negative was not used in the daguerreotype process. The image was captured on a mirror like plate of copper, which had been coated with silver. After exposure to light, the plate was developed over hot mercury until an image appeared.

The clarity of the images was stunning. The final product was the plate itself. They were called "mirrors of truth". In 1839 the journal the Knickerbocker stated: "Their exquisite beauty almost transcends the bounds of sober believe." The popularity of the process was fleeting. As there were no negatives, it was extremely difficult to make a duplicative print. Just as their namesake, a conventional "mirror", the final product was heavy. Also, the process of rendering the image on the plate was extremely toxic. By 1860 alternative methodologies of image making were in vogue.

Digital Daguerreotypes:

The process I employ in the computer darkroom does not involve heavy plates, long exposure times, nor toxic chemicals. However, as with the early pioneers, the final image is a function of light, tone and composition. Relieved of the dangers associated with the original process, I can only hope to some day master a technique that "mirrors the truth". At Time Less Image we continue to seek exquisite beauty in our images, exploring all techniques, old and new.

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Waldo County, situated in mid-coast Maine along scenic Penobscot Bay, has genuine New England character evidenced by working port towns and quaint rural villages. Visitors are awed by the area's unspoiled beauty. From striking coastal views to sweeping mountain vistas, dramatic natural settings abound. In addition great care has been taken to preserve and refurbish numerous historic landmarks, homes and buildings. Consequently, the Maine of yesteryear is still found here.

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