19th Century Photography Timeline

This charts offers a rough time comparison of the more popular photographic processes. This is not all-inclusive nor can any timeline be 100% accurate; however, it serves as a good quick visual reference. These times are more indicitive of popularity within the U.S.

 

The daguerreotype was popular between 1839 to the early 1850's. The ambrotype was popular in the United States in the early to mid 1850s, to the early 1860’s, but continued its popularity throughout the rest of the world. The tintype was extremely popular in the mid-1860s. Stereoviews were popular all throughout the mid to late 19th century. Their use declined as print technology evolved in newspapers and magazines. By the 1930s their use drastically declined. CDVs and cabinet cards were popular in the last half of the 19th century, the former giving out to the cabinet card in the 1870s. For more details regarding the specific dates of inventions and peak of popularity, read the store page descriptions.