collodion
Quick Summary
Collodion is a viscous solution of nitrocellulose (guncotton) in alcohol and ether. When the solvents evaporate, it forms a clear, plastic-like film that is impervious to water.12
Historically, collodion was famously used in the wet collodion process for photography, invented by Frederick Scott Archer in 1851. This process allowed for the creation of glass negatives and produced highly detailed images, rivaling the daguerreotype. While revolutionary for its speed and detail, it required photographers to prepare, expose, and develop the plate while the collodion coating was still moist.2
Collodion also has medical applications. It can be used as a coating for wounds. Specific formulations include flexible collodion, which remains pliable after drying, and styptic collodion, which contains agents to stop minor bleeding. The term "collodio-" is a combining form meaning collodion.1345
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- wet-collodion process
…iodide to a solution of collodion (cellulose nitrate) and coating a glass plate with the mixture. In the darkroom the plate was immersed in a solution of silver nitrate to form silver iodide. The plate, still wet, was exposed in the camera. It was then developed by pouring a solution…
Read More…iodide to a solution of collodion (cellulose nitrate) and coating a glass plate with the mixture. In the darkroom the plate was immersed in a solution of silver nitrate to form silver iodide. The plate, still wet, was exposed in the camera. It was then developed by pouring a solution…
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history of photographyDevelopment of the wet collodion process…the introduction of the wet collodion process for making glass negatives. This new technique, invented by the English sculptor Frederick Scott Archer, was 20 times faster than all previous methods and was, moreover, free from patent restrictions. Paper prints could easily be made from glass-plate negatives. The process had one…
Read More…the introduction of the wet collodion process for making glass negatives. This new technique, invented by the English sculptor Frederick Scott Archer, was 20 times faster than all previous methods and was, moreover, free from patent restrictions. Paper prints could easily be made from glass-plate negatives. The process had one…
Read More