Amongst antiquaries I have long noticed, that many who have especially studied one particular
branch of archæology, think and speak slightingly of those departments in which they are not much interested. One fond of research in the early tumuli is esteemed to be a mere "pot and pan antiquary" by one who, in his turn, is thought to waste his time on "mediæval trash;" and this feeling pervades its many sections.
I hope I shall not give offence in saying, that amongst photographers I have noticed somewhat of a similar spirit, namely, an inclination to value and praise a production, from the particular mode of operation adopted, rather than from its intrinsic merits. The collodion, the waxed paper, or the simple paper processes have merits pertaining to themselves alone; and those who admire each of these several processes are too apt to be prejudiced in favour of the works produced by them.
Before proceeding farther, permit me to observe, that if some of my remarks appear too elementary, and too well known by many assembled here, my reason for making them is, that I have myself experienced the want of plain simple rules, notwithstanding the many able treatises upon the subject which have already been written: I hope, therefore, I shall receive their pardon for entering fully into detail, because a want of success may depend upon what may appear most trivial.
I think the greatest number of failures result from not having good iodized paper; which may be caused by
1. The quality of the paper;
2. The mode of preparing it;
3. The want of proper definite proportions for a particular make of paper;
because I find very different results ensue unless these things are relatively considered.
I have not met with satisfactory results in iodizing the French and German papers, and the thick papers of some of our English makers are quite useless.