I have not yet made a Daguerreotype but am gathering materials and information
to do so. Because of the dangers inherent in the process I have been moving
slowly on this. There are a number of modern Daguerreotypists who are using
both the traditional rosebud@why.net (and highly toxic) mercury development process and the
Becherell, red light, development process which is very safe. Of course there
are still the dangers associated with iodine and bromine fuming. I have
recently heard of a mercury development method that is fairly safe. I know
of at least one amercian company which still manufactures plates but everything
else must be home made. "The Daguerreian Society" , of which I am a member
publishes a list of members which includes those who are actively makeing
Daguerreotypes. If you have further questions, I will try to answer them.
Hope this helps,
Bob Schramm
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