albumen print

An albumen print is an early photographic process developed in the 19th century that produces detailed, glossy images on paper. It involves coating a paper with a mixture of egg whites (albumen) and silver nitrate, creating a smooth surface that captures light when exposed to a photographic negative. The result is a sharp, durable photograph with a distinctive sheen. Used primarily from the 1850s to the 1890s, albumen prints were popular for portraits and landscapes, exemplifying craftsmanship and clarity in early photography.