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The image library for the collections of Edinburgh Libraries and Museums and Galleries
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Salted paper print
Salted paper print
Salted paper print
About the image medium
Name
Salted paper print
Notes
Salted paper prints are the earliest photographic prints on paper. A sheet of paper is soaked first in a weak solution of Sodium Chloride (common salt), and then, after it has dried, in a strong solution of Silver Nitrate. This makes the paper sensitive to light and it will darken where it is exposed. The process of sensitizing paper in this way was invented by William Henry Fox Talbot in the mid 1830's, forming the basis of his 'photogenic drawing' process. Widespread use of this paper for printing began with Talbot's invention of the calotype, announced in 1841. Prints were made by exposing the sensitized paper to direct sunlight under a calotype negative and a sheet of glass for up to two hours. This produced what we refer to today as a salted paper print. This method of printing remained popular until the mid 1850's when they were overtaken in popularity by albumen prints.
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