Web Assignment #2 -Sept. 25th

Photo by Alexander Gardner

Photo  by Mathew Brady

1. The daguerreotype is a direct-positive process that creates a very detailed image on a sheet of copper that is covered with a thin layer of silver without using a negative. The surface resembles the photo paper we use in class or the film for a film camera. These types of photographs were popular in the 1840's, and died down when ambrotype photographic process became possible in the 1850's. The daguerreotype replaced pin-hole photography.
2. An albumen print was the first commercial method of creating a photographic print on a paper base from a negative. The main ingredient in albumen prints was the albumen found in egg whites, which bound the photographic chemicals to the paper. This process didn't die out until around the 1920's.
3. The stereograph was designed to give an image a three dimensional effect. The stereograph was invented in the 1840's and the last type of stereographs died out around the 1940's
4. The carte de visite was a type of small photograph that was usually an albumen print; the prints were around the size of a postcard/visiting card. These photographs were used for trading among friends,etc. They became very popular because of their size being so small.
5. Alexander Gardner was a photographer for wars/battle scenes. He supplied Mathew Brady(also a photographer) with negatives. Mathew Brady had an organization that would reproduce and sell these images. They were notable for war photos; most of the pictures were scenes of carnage from the battles themselves. The pictures are also referred to as photoessay; this means that the photos tell a story without the need of captions or words. The men were active around the 1860's. 

Web Assignment #1- Sept. 17th

Nicephore Niepce

 A. Nicephore Niepce is most known for producing the worlds first photograph in 1825. Niepce was born in Chalon-sur-Saone, Saonie-et-Loire. His father was a lawyer, which caused the family to flee the country during the French Revolution. He also had two brothers (one older, one younger) and a sister. A side fact about Niepce is that he served as a staff officer in the French army under the command of Napoleon.

B. Niepce was known for the first successful permanent photograph in 1826 at Saint-Loup-de-Varennes. The photography captures the view from the window at Le Gras, which shows the roof and surrounding countryside of his estate from the upstairs window.

C. The important thing about this photograph in my opinion is that it was legitimately the first permanent photo ever captured in history. Also I find it interesting that the photo was on a pewter plate that was coated with bitumen of Judea, a mixture that is like asphalt, that then hardened in the sunlight and the unexposed parts washed away with water.

D. The photo was taken from the view outside the upstairs window at his estate at Le Gras.

E. The exposure lasted 8 hours.

F. The photo was taken in 1825.

Extra Credit: The plate(photograph) is housed today on permanent display in the main lobby of the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center.

This is the photograph taken by Nicephore Niepce in 1825, known as the first successful photograph.