Collodion is a solution made from soluble gun cotton dissolved in a mixture of ether and alcohol. Historically, it was widely used in early photographic processes, particularly in wet plate photography, where it served as a coating for glass plates to hold light-sensitive chemicals. Collodion allowed photographers to produce detailed and sharp images, though it required careful handling due to its flammability and rapid drying. Today, collodion is still used in alternative and historical photographic techniques, offering photographers a way to explore vintage processes and achieve unique, archival-quality images with a classic aesthetic.