Henry Fox Talbot

William Henry Fox Talbot invented the calotype (or talbotype) photographic process, which he patented in 1841. Unlike the daguerreotype, which produced a single direct positive image, the calotype created a paper negative that allowed for multiple positive prints to be made.

While the daguerreotype created a unique, non-reproducible direct positive image on a silvered copper plate, the calotype used a paper negative. This meant the calotype allowed photographers to produce endless positive copies of an image, laying the groundwork for modern photographic reproduction.

Talbot published 'The Pencil of Nature' in 1844, which is widely considered the first commercially published book to be illustrated with photographs. The images were original calotypes pasted directly onto the pages of the book.

While he did not solely invent photography, Talbot is credited with inventing the negative-positive photographic process that forms the basis of modern film photography. His early photogenic drawing process was discovered in the 1830s, right around the same time Louis Daguerre was developing the daguerreotype in France.