History of Photography Test #2 Review

History of Photography Test #2 Review Notes

Stereoscope and Stereographic Images

• Definition: Stereographs use two side-by-side lenses to create images that produce a 3D effect when viewed through a stereoscope.
• Creation Process:
  • Began as an offshoot of the collodion wet-plate process.
  • Negative created with two separate exposures printed on albumen paper.
  • Images cut out and glued onto cardboard.

Popularization of Stereographs

• Early stereographs used daguerreotypes but faced issues due to reflections.
• The advancement of collodion and albumen techniques led to immense popularity in the 19th century.
• Publishers offered a range of subjects: celebrities, landscapes, events, artwork reproductions, etc.
• Stereographs served entertainment comparable to television in the 20th century and provided significant professional opportunities in photography.

Transition in Photography Techniques

• The collodion wet-plate negative and albumen paper marked the decline of daguerreotypes and calotypes.
• Both allowed for mass production of photographs, fueling trends such as carte-de-visite and stereographic pictures.

End of Collodion Wet-Plate Process

• Replacement was due to gelatin emulsions:
  1. Introduced gelatin dry plates for convenience and stability.
  2. Emergence of roll film made photography accessible to the masses.

Advances in Technology

• Gelatin Emulsions:
  • Made from cattle bones; suspend light-sensitive silver salts.
  • Adheres to glass plates to aid exposure.
  • Allowed for preparation of plates in advance, reducing need for portable darkrooms.

Kodak Box Camera

• Introduced in 1888:
  • Affordable, lightweight, user-friendly.
  • Came with film for 100 photos; users sent back the camera for processing.
• Marketing motto: “You press the button - we do the rest.”

Early Portrait and Landscape Photography

• Initial views were disseminated via paintings, woodcuts, and lithographs.
• Photography provided more accurate representations, evolving from previous artistic formats to actual photographs.

Innovations by Louis Desire Blanquart-Evrard and Gustave Le Gray

• Developed paper-negative processes accelerating chemical development compared to sunlight exposure.
• Le Gray improved transparency with waxing techniques.

Challenges in Photography

• Issues such as overexposed skies and dark ground details led to techniques like multiple printing to achieve desired effects by combining negatives.

Naturalism and Emerson's Philosophy

• Naturalism rejected the imitation of classical painting.
• P.H. Emerson insisted:
  1. Photographs should be taken directly from nature.
  2. Capture how the human eye perceives scenes using techniques like differential focus to create subjective representations.

Impressionistic Photography

• Led by George Davison in the late 1880s, focusing on a general impression rather than sharp detail.
• Techniques included using a pinhole instead of a lens for a softer image on rough paper.

Pictorialism (1889-WWI)

• Photographers emphasized beauty and emotion over factual documentation.
• Strived for artistry in images, often drawing from impressionistic influences and generally avoiding optical sharpness.

Concept of Portraiture

• Categories of portrait: Document external appearance, reveal inner personality, convey photographer's perspective, capture the environment, or all combined.

Notable Figures in Photography

• Southworth & Hawes: Developed superior daguerreotypes using advanced techniques.
• Hill & Adamson: Known for environmental portraits and socially conscious projects.
• Julia Margaret Cameron: Renowned for intimate and expressive depictions.

Historical Context and Societal Impact

• Events like the Scottish Disruption influenced portrayals in photography, leading to a shift in societal documentation and the representation of working-class individuals.

Iconic Photographs

• Dorothea Lange’s "Migrant Mother" and Gordon Parks' works emphasized human experience during social issues.
• Nadar and Edward Steichen showcased influential portraits in the narrative of photography as an art form.

Conclusion

• The evolution of photography demonstrates a continuous integration of technology, artistry, and societal influences, shaping the medium into an essential tool for documentation and artistic expression.