Portrait de Bernhardt, Jeanne, (1851-1901), (actrice)

Fils was known for his use of the collodion process, which was a popular photographic technique in the 19th century. In this process, a glass plate was coated with collodion, a flammable liquid, and then sensitised with silver nitrate. The plate was then exposed in a camera and developed using various chemicals. Fils' work was widely exhibited and he won several prizes for his photography, including a gold medal at the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1889. He also published several books on photography, including La Photographie Moderne (Modern Photography) in 1883. Fils' legacy as a photographer continues to inspire and influence photographers today. His images capture a glimpse of the past, providing a window into the lives of people and places from a bygone era.