Direct positive

Tags: Glossary / Photography processes

A direct positive process is a photographic process that produces a positive image, without the use of a negative. Each image is therefore a unique original and cannot be reproduced by printing in the same way as negative-based processes. In a direct positive process, the image-forming material itself becomes the final photograph. Examples of direct positive processes are daguerreotype and autochrome.

Related items:
Autochrome  Daguerreotype  Negative  Positive
Published: 08-02-2026    Last modified: 01-03-2026