Before Photography - Photographic Processes Series - Chapter 1 of 12

Summary

The invention of photography was a complex process with many contributors. It began with silhouettes and the Physionotrace, offering mechanical, objective portraits. The Camera Obscura, a dark room with a small hole for light, projected images that inspired early photography experiments. Schulze and Wedgwood experimented with light-sensitive materials, but it was the inability to fix images that posed a challenge. Their work laid the foundation for later inventors like Talbot, Daguerre, and Niepce, who built upon these early experiments to develop lasting photographic processes.

Takeaways

• 📸 Photography's evolution was a gradual process involving multiple discoveries and inventors.
• 🏆 There were both winners and losers in the development of photographic techniques.
• 🌟 Photography revolutionized how people perceived and familiarized themselves with their surroundings.
• 🖋️ Silhouettes were considered the essence of a person's soul and were an early form of portraiture.
• 🔦 The term 'photography' originates from Greek, meaning 'light drawing', emphasizing the use of light in image creation.
• 🎨 Before photography, shadows were traced and reduced in size using tools like the Pantograph machine.
• 🤖 The Physionotrace was an early mechanical device that created objective portraits by tracing and reducing a person's shadow.
• 🏠 Camera Obscura, meaning 'dark room', is an ancient concept where an image is projected through a small hole onto a surface inside a dark room.
• 🔭 Improvements to the Camera Obscura included the use of a lens to focus light and produce a brighter, sharper image.
• 🧪 Johann Heinrich Schulze's experiment demonstrated that light, not heat, could affect chemical reactions used in early photographic processes.
• 🎨 Thomas Wedgwood experimented with silver nitrate to create images but was unable to fix them permanently.

Q & A

What does the term 'photography' mean in Greek?

The term 'photography' in Greek means 'light drawing', which signifies the process of creating images by capturing light.

How did the silhouette capture the essence of a person?

The silhouette was considered the essence of a person's soul because it captured the outline of a person's shadow, which was seen as a direct and objective representation of their form.

What was the function of the Pantograph machine in relation to photography?

The Pantograph machine was used to trace large objects and reduce their size, which was helpful in creating smaller, detailed images or copies of larger subjects.

Who invented the Physionotrace and what was its purpose?

The Physionotrace was invented by Chretien. It was a device that traced a person's shadow and reduced the image size mechanically, creating an objective portrait.

What is a Camera Obscura and how was it used in the early stages of photography?

A Camera Obscura is a dark room with a small hole that allows light to enter and project an image of the outside onto the opposite wall. It was used to understand the basics of image formation and was a precursor to the camera.

What was the significance of Johann Heinrich Schulze's experiment with a glass jar, chalk, and silver?

Johann Heinrich Schulze's experiment demonstrated that the darkening of the chalk was caused by light and not heat, contributing to the understanding of light sensitivity, which is crucial for photography.

What was Thomas Wedgwood's contribution to the early development of photography?

Thomas Wedgwood experimented with silver nitrate to create images by contact printing photograms. He attempted to capture images in a camera obscura but was unable to fix them permanently.

Why were Talbot, Daguerre, and Niepce interested in Wedgwood's work?

Talbot, Daguerre, and Niepce were interested in Wedgwood's work because it provided a foundation for their own experiments. Wedgwood's friend Humphry Davy had published an account of his work, which served as a springboard for others.

How did the camera obscura improve over time to aid in the development of photography?

Improvements to the camera obscura included the addition of a lens in the hole to focus light, resulting in a brighter and more focused image that could be projected onto a surface.

What was the main challenge faced by early photographers in capturing images within a camera?

The main challenge was to create a stable, lasting image within the camera box. Early experimenters struggled with sensitivity to light, image permanence, and the technical aspects of capturing and fixing images.