Some odd pieces of photographic 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…