Figure 1.-- This American CDV was taken in Houston Texas during 1878. It hs an elaborate background nd is more intimently posed than many 1860s CDVs we have noted..

The poseing for CDVs seem substatially different than that for earlier formzts like Daguerreotypes and ambrotypes. The subjects in these earlier types were usually posed seated because with slow emulsion speeds, it was easier to hold still when seated. The faster speeds with the albumen process mean erect standing up postures were possible, albeit with support stands. These portraits in the 1860s often do not fill the image with the subject. As such they seem less intimate that the dag and ambro images. We are not sure why this convention developed. We believe that usage in albums with oval mounts may have been a factor. The 1860s portraits often pose the subject standing in a very sparcely furished set with plain backgrounds. The poses often seem rather stiff. The 1870s posed are more varied. Elaborate backgrounds and more intimate poses with fully furnished sets are commons. We are less sure about 1880s ad 1890s poses. Generally speakng, the CDV went out of style in Amerca dyring the 1880s. Most Ameruican portraits we have found are cabinent cards. The CDV was, however, still common in Europe.

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Created: 3:14 AM 12/27/2006
Last updated: 3:15 AM 12/27/2006