How to Destroy a Daguerreotype

[dizzychicken1]

can you reuse the plate if you polish it again?

[hualon]

@dizzychicken1 You can re-use the plate if there's enough silver on it. My plates are electroplated so they have a VERY thin layer of silver which is very easy to buff off if you're not careful. Even if you obliterate the silver layer you can always re-plate it for about $20.

[dizzychicken1]

@hualon so how much does 1 daguerreotype shot cost roughly? Im looking to shoot my own but i know itll cost be alot...

[hualon]

@dizzychicken1 A silver-clad copper plate purchased from Mike Robinson (the only provider of ready-to-use dag plates in the world) will cost about $45. That plate can be re-used dozens of times if necessary.

The Iodine is not consumed in the process but $50 worth of Iodine crystals will last you forever.

Buffing and polishing supplies can cost you anywhere from $50 to hundreds of dollars but, again, there's no cost PER image.

Glass, a mat, and sealing tape will cost you $2-10 per image..

[Choowbz]

What is the risk of mercury poisoning by doing that.

At least you didn't lick it off, that would have been a shock to see.

[hualon]

The method I used for this doesn't require Mercury. Even if I had used the Mercury method of development for this image the exposure would have been negligible.

There is hardly any mercury left on the image after it is developed and cleared. CERTAINLY not enough to make anyone sick.

[pinnoy]

Ambrotypes can be destroyed like that when you apply some force on its backside.

[undergroundman1993]

I figured it was new, a daguerreotype wouldn't last 140 years without being heated : p

[houseofglam]

oh nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo­oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!­!!!!!!!!!

[paintedblue07]

why did you ruin it??

[hualon]

I made this image and the exposure did not come out the way I wanted.

[paintedblue07]

Whew...ok. I thought you were destroying an old dag.