The collodion process, also known as wet collodion, was invented by Frederick Scott Archer in 1851–52. It represented a significant advancement over earlier photographic methods, such as the calotype, because it allowed photographic plates to be exposed while still wet, greatly increasing sensitivity and reducing exposure times. However, the process required bulky equipment and immediate plate development, which made fieldwork challenging. Despite these limitations, the collodion process became popular in the 19th century for producing highly detailed and sharp images, and it remains an important technique in historical and alternative photography today.