The Morning After "He Greatly Daring Dined" 1843 - 1847

This photograph, "The Morning After 'He Greatly Daring Dined'," was created between 1843 and 1848 by David Hill and Robert Adamson using the calotype process, an early photographic technique that used paper coated with silver iodide. The grainy texture and soft focus result from the paper negative, very different from the sharp, polished surfaces we associate with photography today. The choice of the calotype, with its inherent imperfections, suggests a deliberate move away from the slickness of industrial production, towards a more handmade aesthetic. The print gives us an insight into the collaborative nature of the work, where artistic vision meets chemical process. The photographer had to carefully control exposure and development times to capture the image. The sepia tones speak to the rich history of photographic practice, a reminder that every photograph is the result of a complex interplay between technology, labor, and artistry. Considering this history allows us to appreciate photography not just as a means of documentation, but as a creative act deeply intertwined with the social and technological conditions of its time.