John Wilson 1843 - 1847

This portrait of John Wilson was made around 1843-1848 by Hill and Adamson, using the calotype process. This early photographic technique involved coating paper with silver iodide, exposing it in a camera, and then developing the latent image. The calotype's paper negative gives the print a soft, slightly hazy quality, unlike the sharp detail of later photographic methods. You can see how the texture of the paper itself becomes part of the image. The sepia tone comes from the chemical process, a direct result of the materials used. This was not a fully industrialized process yet, requiring careful hand-crafting at every stage, and a deep understanding of the materials. Photography in this era was still considered a kind of craft as much as a science, a far cry from today’s instant digital images. Looking at this portrait, we're reminded that every photograph, even in its earliest forms, is a product of both technology and human skill. Appreciating the materials and methods used allows us to connect with the artistry and the historical context of this work.