The Ambrotype Photographic Process

The ambrotype was an early form of photography that replaced the daguerreotype in popularity. It had a short, but spectacular life in the evolution of photography.

The Ambrotype: Early Development

Frederick Scott Archer, a British sculptor, and Peter Fry, a lawyer and amateur photographer, developed a new photographic process in 1851 where, after an underdeveloped or bleached negative was fixed on a glass plate, the negative was placed against a black background and then appeared positive. Neither Archer nor Fry patented the technique.

Patenting and Naming the Ambrotype

James Ambrose Cutting, an inventor, patented the ambrotype in the United States in 1854. Some think that the ambrotype was named with the Greek word “ambrotos” or indestructible in mind. Others feel that the name was derived from Cutting’s middle name. Cutting went on to help found the Boston Aquarial Gardens, the first independent aquarium in the United States.

Ambrotype Presentation

After the negative was fixed, the ambrotype negative would be placed against a background of black varnish, black paint, black paper, or black velvet. Another piece of glass was put on top of the negative to protect it. Then, this was all mounted into a frame and placed in a case similar to those used in daguerreotypes. You will see many examples of ambrotypes having been hand tinted.

Ambrotypes were made in the following sizes:

1-1/2” x 1-3/4” or sixteenth plate
2” x 2-1/2” or ninth plate
2-3/4” x 3-1/4” or sixth plate
3-1/4” x 4-1/4” or quarter plate
4-1/2” x 5-1/2” or half plate
6-1/2” x 8-1/2” or whole plate
8-1/2” by 13” or double whole plate

Ambrotypes were most often used for portraits, and much less frequently, for landscapes.

Ambrotypes Versus Daguerreotypes

Like daguerreotypes, ambrotypes produced a single image. This was a decided disadvantage of both processes. Both ambrotypes and daguerreotypes were kept in protective cases because of their fragility.

The ambrotype did not have the shiny, reflective surface of a daguerreotype and could be looked at from any angle. The ambrotype was also typically less expensive than a daguerreotype. The ambrotype also required a shorter exposure time than a daguerreotype.

One of the major advantages of daguerreotypes over ambrotypes is that daguerreotypes had much more contrast.

By the late 1850s, the ambrotype had overtaken the daguerreotype in popularity. However, this was a short lived victory. The tintype and other photographic processes became the rage of the day as the Civil War approached. By 1864, photographs of all types were being taxed to help fund the Civil War. Stamped ambrotypes can be found, but are far outnumbered by other photographic processes that were stamped.

Examples of Ambrotypes
More Ambrotypes
Ambrotypes and Daguerreotypes

~Laura Evans

Laura Evans is an Antique Dealer specializing in California Pottery. She is also a freelance writer and a tutor. She spends the small amount of free time that she has with her husband, two dogs, and four cats. Visit her at Family Fun Adventures in the Southwestern United States

Picture from Allposters.com Ambrotype of Mother and Child

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