Albumen

Albumen

The Albumen print process is a photographic process.

During the 19^th century, most photographic positives (i.e regular pictures) were made using the Albumen print process.

History:
The Albumen print process was invented in 1850 by Louis Blanquart-Evrard, in France.

Appearance:
Albumen prints are sepia colored, and have a glossy surface.

Process:
Thin sheets of paper are coated with egg whites (Albumen means egg white) and salt. They were then covered with silver nitrate to make them light sensitive. The actual printing was done in sunlight, by letting the sun shine through a negative. The finished picture is fixed, washed, and often gold toned before mounting

Read more about Photographic Processes

Al*bu"men (#), n. [L., fr. albus white.]

1.

The white of an egg.

2. Bot.

Nourishing matter stored up within the integuments of the seed in many plants, but not incorporated in the embryo. It is the floury part in corn, wheat, and like grains, the oily part in poppy seeds, the fleshy part in the cocoanut, etc.

3. Chem.

Same as Albumin.

© Webster 1913.