The daguerreotype was recognized as the first commercially effective photographic process invented in the 1839-1860 in the history of photography. Daguerreotype derived the name from Louis Jacques Mandé Daguerre, French artist where each daguerreotype is an exclusive image on a silvered copper plate. On the contrary to photographic paper, daguerreotype is recognized as non-flexible and of heavy weight. The daguerreotype comprises of high accuracy, detail and sharp. It is basically a mirror-like surface and is very delicate. Since the metal plate is very exposed, most daguerreotypes are accessible in a special housing. Other types of housings of daguerreotype are an open model or a folding case.

Daguerreotypes are highly expensive, so financially advantageous people usually have their portrait taken. Although, the portrait has been extremely popular subject, the daguerreotype has been typically used in order to record number of other images for instance topographic and documentary subjects, antiquities, stagnant lives, natural phenomena and extraordinary events.

Steps in Making a Daguerreotype

• Polishing and Buffing Photographic Plate- A plate of silver-coated copper must be cleaned and extremely polished with a soft cloth by pumice powder and oil. The plate should be repeatedly polished and glossed till the silvered surface gets a mirror-like brilliance.
• Sensitizing the Photographic Plate- Polished plate is sensitized by uncovering it to iodine and bromine fumes.
• Loading the Camera- The sensitized plate is put in into a light-proof holder with a protecting slide and placed inside the camera.
• Developing the Image- The image is taken out by overhanging the photographic plate over a dish of mercury inside a fuming box. 
• Washing the Photographic Plate- At last stages, the photographic plate is washed in distilled water and dried.
• Mounting and Presenting the Finished Daguerreotype Portrait- The completed daguerreotype portrait must be surrounded by gilt or brass mat, protected with a sheet of protective glass, and enclosed in a metal frame.