The world’s very first photographs were taken in the 1830s. Scientists now say they have found a way to recover lost images made from the very first photographic process. The new method uses X-ray technology and light imaging to help save images badly damaged by the effects of age.

Researchers from Canada’s University of Western Ontario published a report on their findings. The first widely accepted photographic process was the creation of France’s Louis Daguerre in 1839. Images made by this method were called daguerreotypes.

The process involved combining metal particles and chemicals on a silver-covered piece of copper to reflect, or give back, images of light. This reflective process was able to produce sharp, colorless pictures. In the beginning, the technology required people to sit completely still for at least one minute for the process to capture a photograph.

The daguerreotype first made it possible to capture and save “true” images that presented a realistic look at history. This is because, unlike paintings, daguerreotypes reflected exactly what was photographed.

But over time, daguerreotypes may suffer damage because of environmental conditions, such as heat and bright light. Some of the damaged images can become unrecognizable.

Research chemists at Western University say they have found a high-tech way to bring these photographic treasures back to life. The team developed the process over several years while studying the chemical changes that harm daguerreotype images.

Aliqismet BADALOV,
“Khalq qazeti”