The wet collodion process

The wet collodion process is an early photographic technique from the 1850s where a glass plate is coated with a gelatin-like solution called collodion, then soaked in a light-sensitive silver nitrate bath. The plate must be prepared, exposed, and developed while still wet, producing a detailed negative image. This method requires precise timing and quick handling, as the plate must be exposed and developed before it dries. It produced high-resolution images with rich detail and contrast, making it popular for portraiture and landscape photography during the 19th century.