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GelatineSilber, commonly known as gelatin silver, refers to a class of photographic emulsions in which light-sensitive silver halide crystals are suspended in a gelatine binder and coated onto a support such as paper or film. This emulsion forms the essential image-bearing layer used in traditional black-and-white photography and motion-picture processes from the late 19th century through much of the 20th century. Gelatine acts as a hydrophilic binder that holds microscopic silver halide grains while allowing chemical processing reagents to diffuse during development and fixing.

Historically, the use of gelatine as a binder enabled thinner, more uniform emulsions and easier manufacturing, leading to mass production of plates, films, and prints. The most common grains are silver bromide, often with traces of chloride or iodide to adjust sensitivity and contrast. Emulsions may include spectral sensitization, hardening agents, anti-halation layers, and protective topcoats to improve handling and longevity.

In practice, exposure to light forms a latent image within the emulsion; chemical developers reduce the exposed silver halide to metallic silver, producing a visible image. Unexposed grains are removed by fixing, and the final print or film is washed and dried. GelatineSilber prints are typically made on paper (including baryta or resin-coated varieties) and films remain a staple of early cinema and still photography.

Modern relevance lies largely in archival, fine-art, and historical contexts, with many practitioners preserving traditional workflows for educational, aesthetic, or restoration purposes. Preservation requires controlled humidity and temperature, as improper storage can cause yellowing, fading, or silver mirroring.