The Woodland Stream 1856

This photograph, "The Woodland Stream" by Plunket, is an albumen silver print, a process widely used in the mid-19th century. What makes this process particularly interesting is its direct link to industrialization. Albumen, derived from egg whites, was coated on paper, creating a smooth surface for the photographic emulsion. The egg whites came from industrialized agricultural practices and required the labor of collecting, separating, and processing them on a massive scale. Once coated, the paper was exposed to light through a negative, creating the final sepia-toned image. The success of albumen printing was due to its ability to produce detailed and stable prints, driving a boom in the photography market. This process was also relatively inexpensive, making photography accessible to a wider audience and further fueling its popularity.