calotypian

Calotypian refers to the process and practice of creating photographs using the calotype method, which was one of the earliest photographic processes developed in the 19th century. The term "calotype" is derived from the Greek words "kalo" meaning beautiful and "typos" meaning impression. This method was invented by William Henry Fox Talbot in 1835 and is notable for its ability to produce multiple prints from a single negative.

The calotype process involves several steps. First, a light-sensitive paper coated with silver iodide is exposed to the scene through a camera. The exposed paper is then developed in a solution of gallic acid and sodium thiosulfate, which reduces the silver iodide to metallic silver, creating a latent image. The paper is then washed and fixed in a solution of sodium thiosulfate to remove any unexposed silver iodide. The resulting image is a positive print, which can be further printed to create multiple copies.

Calotypes are known for their high contrast and fine detail, making them highly valued by photographers and collectors. The process was widely used during the Victorian era and is considered a significant milestone in the history of photography. Despite its historical importance, the calotype method has largely fallen out of use in modern photography, but it remains a subject of interest for its contributions to the development of photographic techniques.