Etching, Engraving & Photography: Elistory of Photomechanical Reproduction

Abstract

The first system to reproduce images photomechanically was heliogravure, introduced in 1826 by Joseph Nicephore Niepce of France. This was followed 13 years later with attempts by various experimenters to chemically etch daguerreotypes. Neither approach proved wholly satisfactory. In1852and1858 William Henry Fox Talbot of England patented the first practicable photomechanical systems. These techniques were capable of converting continuous-tone images into ink images on paper using methods which established the foundation of photogravure as we know it today. Talbot’s approaches relied heavily upon the positive photographic print, a feature which was part of the photographic negative-positive system introduced by him in 1839. Talbot’s photomechanical innovations consisted of the bichromated gelatin emulsion; contact screens; photoaquatint; etching a metal plate through the light-exposed, selectively hardened emulsion; use of a relatively “safe” etchant; using etchants of different concentrations to control tones. Apart from these contributions it is revealed that Mrs. Talbot was the first woman photographic laboratory technician and the first woman photographer.