Clinton Parry c. 1868

Julia Margaret Cameron made this albumen print of Clinton Parry using the wet collodion process. It's a photographic technique, which requires the photographic material to be coated, sensitized, exposed, and developed within the span of about fifteen minutes, demanding considerable technical skill and a deep understanding of the materials involved. What’s really amazing is how Cameron seizes on the unique qualities of this process. The soft focus, the tonal range from rich browns to creamy highlights – it all contributes to a sense of depth and atmosphere. You can see the way that light interacts with the chemicals on the plate, creating a tangible surface. But it's also important to remember that this wasn't just about technical virtuosity. Photography in Cameron’s time was still a relatively new medium, and she was pushing its boundaries, exploring its potential as a form of artistic expression. In doing so, Cameron elevated photography to the realm of fine art, blurring the lines between technical process and aesthetic vision.