Edinburgh Calotype Club

The Edinburgh Calotype Club was the first photographic club in the world and the National Library of Scotland have digitised two albums of their work (over 300 images) in this nifty little sub-site.

The club was formed in the early 1840's when a group of Edinburgh gentlemen were introduced to the calotype process. It is not greatly surprising that the quality of the image, nor in some cases the composition, is a little shabby given the laborious efforts involved, and the amateur status of the gentlemen. After having seen how the process worked at a demonstration in St. Andrews the gentlemen were impressed

‘on their return to town the results were shown and the manipulation explained, and Edinburgh was for some time in a state of furore and excitement …’

Posted by Paul at June 25, 2003 03:25 AM |

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