History

Hunting among old photo collections and antique shops you can find many interesting relics of photographic processes long gone. Opalotypes, or "milk glass positives" The first time I saw an opalotype photograph I didn't know what to make of it. A large flat white plate of glass with a portrait of great fineness and beauty, it was a strange novelty. Since then I have seen several more, usually in estates of well-to-do families, and they still catch my eye. Also known as milk glass positives, these images were made using a variety of related processes that…