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ReadysetDC Previews: “In the Darkroom: Photographic Processes Before the Digital Age”

“How charming it would be if it were possible to cause these natural images to imprint themselves durable and remain fixed upon paper! And why should it not be possible?”

-William Henry Fox Talbot, The Pencil of Nature, 1844

Those are the first words of the Introduction of “In the Darkroom”, the book which accompanies the new exhibition by the same name at the National Gallery of Art. It is truly amazing when you think of how far photographic technology has come when you read those words. With digital photography now part of our daily lives, few even think about the use of chemical processes to “fix” images.

More words and photos after the jump:

Do you know the difference between the daguerreotype and the ambrotype? Ever shoot an Internal Dye Diffusion Transfer print? “In the Darkroom” is equal part photo exhibition as it is a guide to the materials and techniques that are the history of this medium up until the digital revolution.

Included are the works of many notable photographers , from the black & white prints of Alfred Stieglitz to polariods of Andy Warhol and Lucas Samaras. The works are organized chronologically and by process. Throughout the space are informative explanations of these processes.

Professional and iPhone photographers alike can enjoy the history and beautiful images, and walk away a little (or a lot) more informed. “In the Darkroom” opens to the public on Sunday, October 25th and will be on display until March 14, 2010.