Preparing biographies

There is a great collection of photographic portraits, consisting of single figures, groups, costumes and three-quarter lengths, the majority of these are negative pictures printed on paper from positives taken on glass by the collodion process. The Jury considers that the most artistic series as regards proportion of the figure, general position of the sitters, focusing and clearness of printing, is that exhibited by Mr Cochrane CLIX 529. This collection however is not free from faults, and one of these appears to be that too strong a light surrounds the heads, and there is deficiency of shadow throughout the pictures. Several of them have faded since the Exhibition opened; from the hyposulphite having been but imperfectly washed out. The positives on glass by this exhibitor are very dark from the film of collodion being too thin to give solidity to the lights. The Jury recommend a first Class Medal for this series.’^[2]

1. Λ Madras Burials, IOR/N/2/42 f. 152. 
     
   
2. Λ Madras Exhibition of raw products, arts, and manufactures of Southern India, 1855. Reports by the Juries, Athenaeum Press, Madras, p. 134.