Bromoil

/ˈbroʊmoʊɪl/ noun

Definition

A photographic printing technique where a photographic image is created by applying oil-based inks to a brominated gelatin surface, popular in early-to-mid 20th century art photography.

Etymology

From bromo- (bromine-treated gelatin) + oil (from Latin oleum). Developed as an artistic variation of bromogelatin photography around 1905.

Kelly Says

The bromoil process gave photographers an incredible amount of artistic control—they could paint oils onto their images to adjust tones and colors, blurring the line between photography and painting in a way that fascinated early modernist artists.

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