what is the best photo ever taken?.. technique wise?

For technique alone, for me it has to be the early daguerreotypes. The detail on the images is stunning and the labor they required is inspiring.

The DAGUERREOTYPE

This was a positive image on a metal support.

The Daguerreotype was the first successful photographic process, the discovery being announced on 7 January 1839. The process consisted of

exposing copper plates to iodine, the fumes forming light-sensitive silver iodide. The plate would have to be used within an hour.

1) exposing to light - between 10 and 20 minutes, depending upon the light available.

2) developing the plate over mercury heated to 75 degrees Centigrade. This caused the mercury to amalgamate with the silver.

3) fixing the image in a warm solution of common salt (later sodium sulphite was used.)

4) rinsing the plate in hot distilled water.

It's just got to be people capturing ghosts on film!

http://paranormal.about.com/od/ghostphotos/a/aa050...