iPhoneArt: A Spectacular Collision of 19th and 21st Century Photographic Processes Produces Stunning Digital Art

SANTA MONICA, CA — (Marketwired) — 11/12/13 — What-s old is new again: The very first practicable photographic process, the Daguerreotype process, is being reimagined for the digital age. In use since the 1850s, Ambrotypes are also getting the digital treatment. Who-s behind this collision of old styles and new technology? Mobile arts pioneer Mobile art, or iPhoneography, brings old and new ideas together. Smart phones and other handheld devices combined with easy-to-use software applications have transformed contemporary art forms in an important way, making them accessible to all. Mobile artists everywhere are creating and experimenting — a new art form is being explored. This trend continues with the of iPhoneArt-s new digital Daguerreotypes and Ambrotypes.

What are Daguerreotypes and Ambrotypes? Printed directly onto mirrors or aluminum plates, IPA-s new digital Daguerreotypes are embedded in specially coated mirrors. The reflective surface of the mirror creates an iridescent print with the look and feel of genuine 1800s Daguerreotype prints. Ambrotypes refer to images printed directly onto glass blocks. IPA-s digital Ambrotypes are printed on 3/4-inch polished edge glass and mounted on handmade walnut frames. The finished sculpture is translucent, allowing the light to shine through and add to the richness of the color.

By creating new printing techniques that enhance the unique qualities of this new sub-genre of digital art, co-founder of iPhoneArt.com, Nathaniel Park, says he was looking to break away from traditional printing methods used in the fine art world.

“We really want to draw on great traditions of the past and re-introduce them to the world with cutting-edge technology,” Park noted. “There are a ton of apps out there that help artists create the feel of old analog processes and cameras. We take it one step further, and have developed outside-the-frame printing techniques that will render this retro aesthetic in contemporary physical forms. IPA is the only place that digital Daguerreotypes and Ambrotypes are available.”

Although there are many different ways to print images, printing the IPA way — using distinctive materials and processes — presents an artist-s work in the highest possible quality, and preserves the piece for generations. Until now, these techniques have been available for high-tech commercial productions, as the equipment needed was too costly to produce individual prints.

Through its printing arm, iPrints, IPA offers several different innovative printing processes, including printing directly onto aluminum plates, printing directly onto wood panels and mounting images onto thick bamboo blocks — as well as traditional fine art papers and framing. While many of these options are available through specialty shops, only iPrints brings them all together, focusing on non-traditional materials and museum-quality production.

The mobile art movement is in full swing, and IPA has taken to Kickstarter to help extend its reach — and make their one-of-a-kind printing processes available to individual artists and collectors everywhere. The Kickstarter campaign is now live — please visit:

Check out our Kickstarter campaign:
Visit our new info microsite for iPrints & kickstarter:
Visit our site:
Like us on Facebook:
Follow us on Twitter:

iPhoneArt.com (IPA) is an online mobile art community dedicated to pioneering the mobile arts with more than 7,000 members worldwide. IPA attracts people of all levels of expertise, amateur and professional, to gather to share techniques, evaluate new technologies and discuss their latest creative works. For more information:

Image Available:
Embedded Video Available:

Kristen Symonds
Lages & Associates
(949) 453-8080

  ambrotypes, contemporary-art, daguerreotype, digital-art, iphone, kickstarter, mobile-art