Autochrome meaning

Autochrome was the first widely used color photographic process, invented by Auguste and Louis Lumière in 1907.


Autochrome definitions

Word backwards emorhcotua
Part of speech Noun
Syllabic division au-to-chrome
Plural The plural of the word "autochrome" is "autochromes."
Total letters 10
Vogais (4) a,u,o,e
Consonants (5) t,c,h,r,m

Autochrome is a pioneering color photography process that was patented in 1903 by the Lumière brothers, Auguste and Louis. It is considered to be the first commercially successful color photography process and revolutionized the way photographers captured the world around them.

One of the key features of autochrome is its use of dyed grains of potato starch as color filters. These tiny grains are coated with a mosaic of red, green, and blue dyes, which when combined, create a full-color image. This innovative technique allowed photographers to create vibrant and realistic color photographs at a time when black and white photography was the norm.

The autochrome process

The autochrome process involves taking a black and white glass plate and coating it with a layer of panchromatic silver halide emulsion. On top of this emulsion, a layer of dyed potato starch grains is added in a random pattern. Once the plate is exposed to light through the camera lens, the light-sensitive emulsion records the image, while the colored starch grains act as filters to capture the color information.

Impact and legacy

The introduction of the autochrome process had a profound impact on the world of photography. For the first time, photographers could capture the world in color, bringing a new level of realism and richness to their images. This innovation paved the way for the development of other color photography processes and laid the foundation for the vibrant color photography we see today.

Although the autochrome process has largely been replaced by more advanced color photography techniques, its legacy lives on in the work of photographers who continue to experiment with and explore the possibilities of color photography. The Lumière brothers' invention remains a testament to the power of innovation and creativity in the field of photography.


Autochrome Examples

  1. The autochrome process revolutionized color photography in the early 20th century.
  2. An autochrome image of a garden from the 1910s still looks vibrant and colorful today.
  3. Many photographers were drawn to the autochrome technique for its unique aesthetic quality.
  4. Autochrome plates were frequently used for capturing landscapes and still life compositions.
  5. The autochrome process involved using dyed grains of potato starch to create color filters.
  6. Autochrome images had a distinctive softness and ethereal quality due to the nature of the process.
  7. Historians often study autochrome photographs to gain insights into the time periods in which they were taken.
  8. The autochrome process required a lengthy exposure time, making it challenging to capture moving subjects.
  9. Autochrome plates were delicate and required careful handling to avoid damaging the color layers.
  10. Modern digital editing software can replicate the look of autochrome photographs for a nostalgic effect.


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  • Updated 21/05/2024 - 08:55:08