The first step in dating 19th century photographs is determining which technology was used to create the picture. This is straightforward detective work for most images, but very early photographs can be misleading.
What kind of photograph is this?
Numerous types of photographs appeared and then went out of favor throughout 1800s. So, the first step in narrowing the possible date for your old photograph is to be able to identifying 19th century photographs to determine what type you have. The information provided here can turn you into a proficient photo detective.
The vast majority of portrait and family photographs taken in the 19th century were one of the following types:
* Tintypes were actually available well into the
20th century, but generally as a novelty produced at carnivals and
other venues such as beach resorts.
Photograph Characteristics
The following chart lists the first characteristics you should look for when trying to identify a 19th century photograph. Detailed analysis is covered on dedicated pages for each type.
