Daguerreotypes

In 1839 the world changed. A Frenchman, Louis Daguerre (1787-1851), created some hazy images of Parisian streets. He did this using natural light, chemicals, glass, and silver-coated copper plates. Reality could now be captured by a mechanical means that seemed to freeze space and time. Each image was unique, could never be reproduced, and had to be encased in a specially designed folding case for its protection. This expensive new medium was used primarily for making portraits. Daguerreotype photography may have been practiced in California even before the Gold Rush.

Within a decade of its invention, photography had spread to the Americas and the Pacific. In the rapidly-growing state of California, photography’s popularity soared and had come to stay. Among the many adventurers moving to the state were a number of early photographers who quickly put their skills to use.