Francesco Fragomeni
@fragomeni.bsky.social
Contemporary daguerreotypist and historian building cameras and working in 19th century photographic processes.
Other apps I barely use:
Instagram.com/FrancescoFragomeni
Other apps I barely use:
Instagram.com/FrancescoFragomeni
Pinned
I’m Francesco Fragomeni, a photographic artist & researcher specializing in 19th century photographic processes with a focus on daguerreotype, Bayard direct positive, calotype and salted paper, collodion variations, and albumen. I also build and restore cameras. I share about my work and process.
Some video from one of the most incredible experiences of my life making daguerreotypes from the roof of the dome of the U.S. Capitol Building for the Library of Congress and the U.S. Capitol:
www.instagram.com/reel/DN6La3i...
www.instagram.com/reel/DN6La3i...
September 6, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Some video from one of the most incredible experiences of my life making daguerreotypes from the roof of the dome of the U.S. Capitol Building for the Library of Congress and the U.S. Capitol:
www.instagram.com/reel/DN6La3i...
www.instagram.com/reel/DN6La3i...
Some of my recent work exploring the early work of daguerreotypist Robert Cornelius for the Library of Congress: www.instagram.com/p/DNyftyYZFCp
September 6, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Some of my recent work exploring the early work of daguerreotypist Robert Cornelius for the Library of Congress: www.instagram.com/p/DNyftyYZFCp
Reposted by Francesco Fragomeni
Daguerreotype of the same snake plant from the last post, made several months later after it had unbraided itself.
Here, the plate has just been gilded (gold chloride) and is unsealed with edges still bent down (helps the plate grab onto my polishing block).
#daguerreotype #photography #artist
Here, the plate has just been gilded (gold chloride) and is unsealed with edges still bent down (helps the plate grab onto my polishing block).
#daguerreotype #photography #artist
November 19, 2024 at 5:28 PM
Daguerreotype of the same snake plant from the last post, made several months later after it had unbraided itself.
Here, the plate has just been gilded (gold chloride) and is unsealed with edges still bent down (helps the plate grab onto my polishing block).
#daguerreotype #photography #artist
Here, the plate has just been gilded (gold chloride) and is unsealed with edges still bent down (helps the plate grab onto my polishing block).
#daguerreotype #photography #artist
Reposted by Francesco Fragomeni
Contemporary daguerreotype of a braided snake plant.
Made by iodizing and then brominating a silver plate, exposing, developing in fumes of hot mercury, and then chemically gilding in gold. Pure alchemy.
#daguerreotype #artist #photographer
Made by iodizing and then brominating a silver plate, exposing, developing in fumes of hot mercury, and then chemically gilding in gold. Pure alchemy.
#daguerreotype #artist #photographer
November 19, 2024 at 4:20 PM
Contemporary daguerreotype of a braided snake plant.
Made by iodizing and then brominating a silver plate, exposing, developing in fumes of hot mercury, and then chemically gilding in gold. Pure alchemy.
#daguerreotype #artist #photographer
Made by iodizing and then brominating a silver plate, exposing, developing in fumes of hot mercury, and then chemically gilding in gold. Pure alchemy.
#daguerreotype #artist #photographer
Not sure where I’ll land but using my last bit of energy to try out Foto App. Photo people find me there:
the.fotoapp.co/fragomeni
the.fotoapp.co/fragomeni
February 24, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Not sure where I’ll land but using my last bit of energy to try out Foto App. Photo people find me there:
the.fotoapp.co/fragomeni
the.fotoapp.co/fragomeni
Homemade camera obscura. Originally completed mid-2022, shortly thereafter deconstructed and cut into scrap and parts for another project. Then all pieces and parts re-salvaged and reconstructed in April 2024. The reconstructed camera was then used during my artist talk series at the Getty in 2024.
February 9, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Homemade camera obscura. Originally completed mid-2022, shortly thereafter deconstructed and cut into scrap and parts for another project. Then all pieces and parts re-salvaged and reconstructed in April 2024. The reconstructed camera was then used during my artist talk series at the Getty in 2024.
Daguerreotype mobile lab camper build is moving along nicely. I’ve completed exterior repairs and the re-coating of epoxy which has really brought it back to life. The redwood frame and hydrotech marine plywood structure all remain in great shape under the fiberglass epoxy layers.
February 5, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Daguerreotype mobile lab camper build is moving along nicely. I’ve completed exterior repairs and the re-coating of epoxy which has really brought it back to life. The redwood frame and hydrotech marine plywood structure all remain in great shape under the fiberglass epoxy layers.
Workshop update: I am beyond excited to finally be working on the build of my mobile daguerreotype lab. Lots of work but this will enable me to travel and make daguerreotypes across the US. I’ll drop some updates now and then and will likely later produce a YouTube video detailing the full build.
February 3, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Workshop update: I am beyond excited to finally be working on the build of my mobile daguerreotype lab. Lots of work but this will enable me to travel and make daguerreotypes across the US. I’ll drop some updates now and then and will likely later produce a YouTube video detailing the full build.
A 122 year old Conley Silent Shutter (which is anything but silent). Originally developed so photographers could expose without the sitter being startled and consequently stiffening up or inadvertently moving. This one is still in use today in my studio. Seen here on a Kodak Century #9 8x10 camera.
January 28, 2025 at 10:10 AM
A 122 year old Conley Silent Shutter (which is anything but silent). Originally developed so photographers could expose without the sitter being startled and consequently stiffening up or inadvertently moving. This one is still in use today in my studio. Seen here on a Kodak Century #9 8x10 camera.
On left is the Aero Ektar from the previous post. On the right is a rare non-thorium version that the Harvard Observatory was commissioned to make during a period when thorium could not be obtained. The standard lens weighs 1644g. Harvard version is 2239g. Thorium glass reduced weight by over 30%.
January 24, 2025 at 9:31 PM
On left is the Aero Ektar from the previous post. On the right is a rare non-thorium version that the Harvard Observatory was commissioned to make during a period when thorium could not be obtained. The standard lens weighs 1644g. Harvard version is 2239g. Thorium glass reduced weight by over 30%.
I’m Francesco Fragomeni, a photographic artist & researcher specializing in 19th century photographic processes with a focus on daguerreotype, Bayard direct positive, calotype and salted paper, collodion variations, and albumen. I also build and restore cameras. I share about my work and process.
January 24, 2025 at 4:29 PM
I’m Francesco Fragomeni, a photographic artist & researcher specializing in 19th century photographic processes with a focus on daguerreotype, Bayard direct positive, calotype and salted paper, collodion variations, and albumen. I also build and restore cameras. I share about my work and process.
This Kodak Aero Ektar was left sitting partially in water for a very long time. The submerged portions were completely oxidized to the point of crumbling. After complete disassembly and days of deep cleaning, the main lens assembly and optics not only survived but now work perfectly.
#lensporn
#lensporn
January 23, 2025 at 3:34 AM
This Kodak Aero Ektar was left sitting partially in water for a very long time. The submerged portions were completely oxidized to the point of crumbling. After complete disassembly and days of deep cleaning, the main lens assembly and optics not only survived but now work perfectly.
#lensporn
#lensporn
Random thought. If photography was invented say a few thousand years ago, what is the single moment or event in history you would most like to see a photograph of?
January 17, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Random thought. If photography was invented say a few thousand years ago, what is the single moment or event in history you would most like to see a photograph of?
FYI, accounts are being added to nonsense lists/ block lists that are being created by users who are either confused or bad actors. I have found my account on such lists as well. Instead of blindly blocking an entire list, consider going through the list and individually choosing who to block.
January 16, 2025 at 5:21 PM
FYI, accounts are being added to nonsense lists/ block lists that are being created by users who are either confused or bad actors. I have found my account on such lists as well. Instead of blindly blocking an entire list, consider going through the list and individually choosing who to block.
Question for lovers of photography:
Whether a household name or a relatively obscure or unknown one, if you had to pick one photographer’s name to scream from the rooftops so that everyone in the world could benefit from knowing their work, who would it be?
#photographers #poll
Whether a household name or a relatively obscure or unknown one, if you had to pick one photographer’s name to scream from the rooftops so that everyone in the world could benefit from knowing their work, who would it be?
#photographers #poll
January 14, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Question for lovers of photography:
Whether a household name or a relatively obscure or unknown one, if you had to pick one photographer’s name to scream from the rooftops so that everyone in the world could benefit from knowing their work, who would it be?
#photographers #poll
Whether a household name or a relatively obscure or unknown one, if you had to pick one photographer’s name to scream from the rooftops so that everyone in the world could benefit from knowing their work, who would it be?
#photographers #poll
My wife snapped this very noir-ish photo of me working a few nights ago. I dig it.
#photography #studiovisit #camera
#photography #studiovisit #camera
December 18, 2024 at 7:43 PM
My wife snapped this very noir-ish photo of me working a few nights ago. I dig it.
#photography #studiovisit #camera
#photography #studiovisit #camera
December 12, 2024 at 5:24 PM
I’d like to tap the collective mind. Please list 1-2 photographs or bodies of work that you feel represent the most striking and/or important examples of still life photographs of all time. Please try not to repeat those already listed.
I’ll start in a follow up post.
#photography #stilllife
I’ll start in a follow up post.
#photography #stilllife
December 11, 2024 at 6:37 PM
I’d like to tap the collective mind. Please list 1-2 photographs or bodies of work that you feel represent the most striking and/or important examples of still life photographs of all time. Please try not to repeat those already listed.
I’ll start in a follow up post.
#photography #stilllife
I’ll start in a follow up post.
#photography #stilllife
Astronomers, can you please recommend a quality 1.25” illuminated reticle eyepiece? Quality and clarity being priority but also hopefully not breaking the bank.
#astronomy #telescope
#astronomy #telescope
December 9, 2024 at 3:44 AM
Astronomers, can you please recommend a quality 1.25” illuminated reticle eyepiece? Quality and clarity being priority but also hopefully not breaking the bank.
#astronomy #telescope
#astronomy #telescope
This was a progress shot during construction of the 20x24. It’s since been disassembled while I work out another round of changes.
#photography #cameras #camerabuilding #woodworking #largeformatphotography
#photography #cameras #camerabuilding #woodworking #largeformatphotography
December 7, 2024 at 12:38 AM
This was a progress shot during construction of the 20x24. It’s since been disassembled while I work out another round of changes.
#photography #cameras #camerabuilding #woodworking #largeformatphotography
#photography #cameras #camerabuilding #woodworking #largeformatphotography
Astronomy folks, does Celestron Support eventually reply? Emailed them 3 days ago but no reply yet.
December 6, 2024 at 11:08 PM
Astronomy folks, does Celestron Support eventually reply? Emailed them 3 days ago but no reply yet.
December 6, 2024 at 6:30 PM
This is one of my favorite photographs of me at work. It dates from my time living in NYC and is an image of me shooting with my 11x14 Deardorff in a wine cellar in the Tribeca neighborhood of Manhattan.
Photo by Stephen Pile.
#cameras #Tribeca #photography #cameraporn #photographer #Deardorff
Photo by Stephen Pile.
#cameras #Tribeca #photography #cameraporn #photographer #Deardorff
December 5, 2024 at 6:29 PM
This is one of my favorite photographs of me at work. It dates from my time living in NYC and is an image of me shooting with my 11x14 Deardorff in a wine cellar in the Tribeca neighborhood of Manhattan.
Photo by Stephen Pile.
#cameras #Tribeca #photography #cameraporn #photographer #Deardorff
Photo by Stephen Pile.
#cameras #Tribeca #photography #cameraporn #photographer #Deardorff
Throwback to when I had hair and used to shoot 11x14 on the streets in Manhattan.
#cameras #deardorff #NYC #largeformatphotography
#cameras #deardorff #NYC #largeformatphotography
December 5, 2024 at 2:05 AM
Throwback to when I had hair and used to shoot 11x14 on the streets in Manhattan.
#cameras #deardorff #NYC #largeformatphotography
#cameras #deardorff #NYC #largeformatphotography