PREFACE. THE rapidity with which the second edition of this work has been exhausted, is a most satisfactory proof that a collection within convenient compass of all the facts connected with the progress and practice of Photography, was required by the increasing number of amateurs and artists who are interested in its very beautiful phenomena. In the present edition a new system of arrangement has been adopted, which will, it is thought, prove generally convenient. The first division contains the history of the progress of Photographic discovery, in which the greatest care has been taken to ensure exactness, and to give to each discoverer the full merit of his labours: the date of publication being taken in all cases where it could possibly be obtained. The second division embraces the science of the art; and it is a section to which the attention of the intelligent student in Photography is particularly directed, as he may, by the knowledge he will thus acquire, relieve himself from many of the annoyances attendant upon frequent failures, and probably advance himself in the path of new discovery. The manipulatory details, given with all necessary minuteness, are included in the third division. A very large portion of the present volume consists of new matter the Waxed Paper and the Collodion Processes, amongst other sections, may be referred to; and the appended chapter, On the Production of Pictures for the Stereoscope, will be found to afford much useful information. The additional woodcut illustrations which have been introduced will be found to render important aid to the amateur. I must acknowledge the ready assistance, in the way of correction and information, which has been afforded me by several of the most practised photographic artists of the metropolis. To Mr. Claudet and Mr. Horne, in particular, I am indebted for many novel and most useful details in the practice of the Daguerreotype and the Collodion processes; and to Mr. Sandford, who has furnished me with many valuable facts relating to the preparation of paper for Photography, I am under many obligations. Those gentlemen who have kindly hastened to supply me with the results of their practice, which is duly acknowledged in the text, will accept my thanks. In conclusion, let me hope that the arrangement of the present volume will be found an improvement upon the former editions, and that this Manual may deserve to maintain its place as a Text-Book on Photography. ROBERT HUNT. LONDON, DEC. 1852. |