The Autochrome was the first viable colour photograph process, and was introduced in 1907 by the Lumière brothers. The Autochrome "screen" was created by forming a layer of minute starch grains dyed in the primary colours (red, blue and green)**, behind which was a layer of panchromatic film. When the picture was taken these starch grains acted as tiny filters on the film. The film was then subjected to reversal development, and then viewed, as a transparency, though an identical screen.
The pictures, though dark by present day standards, were delicate and of a soft pastel nature.
© Robert Leggat, 1999.