In the scheme of things the invention of the "photograph" (not quite the term used back in the day) was not that long ago. However in a very short time incredible changes have taken place and the photographs of yesterday are quickly fading away. Collecting these antique processes has become quite popular making it harder to start collecting when you're on a limited budget. This guide will help you determine where best to put your time and money. The main processes of the 1800's were the Daguerreotype, Ambrotype, Tintype, Cabinet card and CDV. The Daguerreotype was an expensive process using silver and was used mainly by the upper class. The Ambrotype was on glass and less expensive and the tintype was the cheapest and could be bought for as little as one penny. The Civil War soldiers started sending home ambrotypes but they were fragile and the glass was constantly breaking so when the tintype came about it became a popular way to send home pictures of themselves to friends and loved ones. Cabinet cards and CDV's or Carte De Visite's were on a heavy paper or cardboard and were as popular as the pictures we take today. Collecting photographs is really based on a personal preference. The clarity of a face or the interesting backdrop of a portrait may catch your eye and while it may not be worth anything to someone else it is to you and that's what matters. Every day I take a moment to enjoy my collection and look at the people and places it shows. I think one of the greatest things about collecting antique photographs is the mystery behind many of the pictures. You're constantly looking at the people and places and wondering what was going on at that time. Were these people important? Do those homes still exist? Why are they posing the way they are? There's always some question behind each picture and it's fun to try and imagine what's going on. A few things I've learned and feel are valuable lessons in collecting is where to look and what to look for. There are several place to purchase photos including antique shops, garage/estate sales, auctions and of course e-bay. Antique shops are almost always the most expensive so unless I really like a picture or have found a great deal I try to avoid them. Auctions are actually where the shops get a lot of their merchandise so if you can find a weekly auction house near your home it would be beneficial to at least stop by the preview every week and see what's available. Garage and estate sales are a great option as well. A lot of the time people don't even realize what they have so the pricing can be incredible. Or as the case with most estate sales a family is just trying to get rid of as much stuff as possible. When it comes to instant gratification, e-bay is the best place to go. There are new pictures up 24 hours a day 365 days a year and if you're clever enough sometimes you can find old photos in the least likely of categories and get incredible deals on them. When it comes to the type of photos and subject matter it's again really a matter of taste. But there are some things that seem to sell higher then others. Daguerreotypes are usually the most expensive. Large quarter, half and full plates are always a popular item and unusual subjects will catch a high price. Dags that are clear and crisp with an almost 3D effect are becoming very hard to find and those that are colored catch collectors eyes. In any of the formats occupational photos are popular as well as outdoor photos; especially outdoor dags and ambros. Civil war soldiers are very popular as well. With a few quick searches on google you will find out who the most popular photographers of the day were and having a few of their photos can't hurt, except maybe your wallet. Daguerreotypes and ambrotypes can be very sensitive so when cleaning them be very careful. You can very easily wipe off the picture. You will notice on several dags "wipe marks" where someone was trying to get rid of dust or dirt. It's best to have a professional take care of it. On cabinet cards and cdvs a white eraser like Staedtler Mars plastic can be used. It helps get rid of dirt and grime and can even get rid of pen. Just use gently at first to see how the photo reacts. When displaying your photos keep them away from sunlight. I have a north facing room that never sees direct sun and even then I still keep my photos away from the window. An acid free plastic can be used to store your paper photos and help delay the fading that without proper care will inevitably happen. Although this has been a very short guide to collecting I hope it has given you some insight on where and what to look for. Spending time on ebay and watching the auctions will help give you a good idea of what collectors are looking for these days and with a little perseverence and luck you might find a gem or two hiding in the next garage sale or auction you go to. Good Luck!