Types of Photograph

Stereos

from 1850s

Introduction

Stereo photographs were first introduced in the 1840s as pairs of daguerreotype photos.  But it was in the 1850s and 1860s that they became popular.

Process

Stereo photos were taken from slightly different positions, either by moving the camera between exposures or by using a purpose-built camera with two lenses.

The two photos, usually albumen prints each about 3 ins. square were  were mounted beside each other on card usually about 7 ins. x 3.5 ins.

Result

Stereo photos were usually albumen prints.

A pair of stereo photos, mounted beside each other on card, were viewed through a viewer to produce a '3D' effect.

Many Victorian families in the 1850s and 1860s owned a stereo viewer that enabled them to view scenes from around the world.

In Edinburgh 

Many photographers from around the world produced stereo views of Edinburgh.

Several Edinburgh photographers also produced stereo images.

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