1850
The German photographers William and Thekla Hetzer introduce the calotype process to Sydney
In France, LD Blanquart-Evrard invents the albumen photograph
Convict transportation from Britain to New South Wales ceases
1851
Six nations (Canada, America, France, Russia, Germany, Britain) exhibit photography at the Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations in London
Britons Frederick Scott Archer and Peter Wickens create the ambrotype using the wet-plate collodion process
In response to popular demand, the British government separates the colonies of Queensland and Victoria from New South Wales
Gold is struck in Bathurst, New South Wales, and Ballarat, Port Phillip District
1852
The Illustrated Sydney News becomes Australia’s first illustrated newspaper
1853
Frenchman Adolphe Martin invents the tintype
Douglas Kilburn demonstrates the stereoscopic process in Hobart
Convict transportation from Britain to Tasmania ceases