Improvement in Photography.

Mr. Archer, the originator of the photographic collodion process, has been long working to render it more perfect, and to remove difficulties which all who make use of glass for negatives have experienced, not only from the weight of the glass, but from its liability to breakage, and other accidents happening to the picture film. Mr. Archer has at length perfected a method which will be found an effectual remedy for all evils. A solution of gutta percha in benzole is poured over the collodion picture taken in the usual way; after being allowed to dry, which it does in a minute or two, the glass picture is then immersed in a dish of water, and the film immediately separates from the glass. The texture is so firm and tough that it will bear any amount of ordinary handling; the negatives, when removed, can be preserved in a book or paper case for printing from, and the glass, after washing, is ready for another picture. Impressions from negatives thus treated are quite as clear and delicate as those produced from the collodion picture by the old method, and the negatives can be placed in closer contact with the prepared printing paper. The tourist, in particular, will be saved the trouble and anxiety of carrying about large supplies of glass and all photographers will, we are quite sure, appreciate and quickly avail themselves of the advantages to be derived from this additional boon to the former valuable discovery—the collodion process of Mr. F. Scott Archer.

See Also: Digital Cameras