Stories with Tag history of photography

• First Known Photographs of Living Specimens

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  Posted: 2025-03-20 20:19:45

  Verbose tl;dr

  The iNaturalist project "First Known Photographs of Living Specimens" aims to document the earliest known photographs of organisms in their natural state. It seeks to compile a collection of verifiable images, ideally the very first, depicting various species as they appeared in life, rather than as preserved specimens or illustrations. This project prioritizes photographs taken before 1900, especially from the early days of photography, offering a glimpse into the historical record of biodiversity and the development of nature photography. Contributions require evidence supporting the claimed date and identification of the organism, ideally with links to primary sources.

  This iNaturalist project, ambitiously titled "First Known Photographs of Living Specimens," embarks upon a fascinating, albeit challenging, endeavor: to meticulously document and curate a collection of the earliest known photographic depictions of extant organisms. It seeks to establish a visual record of the pioneering moments when photography and the study of living things intersected, offering a glimpse into the nascent days of both fields. The project encompasses a wide taxonomic breadth, aspiring to include representatives from across the spectrum of life, from microscopic bacteria and vibrant fungi to towering trees and complex vertebrates. The criteria for inclusion are rigorously defined: each photograph must demonstrably be the earliest known surviving image capturing a living individual of a particular species, subspecies, variety, or form. This necessitates not only the identification of the organism with precision but also extensive research to confirm the photograph's historical precedence. Given the inherent complexities of historical research and the vastness of the biological world, the project acknowledges its ongoing and evolving nature. It serves as a dynamic repository, perpetually open to additions and revisions as new photographic discoveries emerge and scholarly investigations refine our understanding of photographic history. The project's ultimate aim is not merely to assemble a collection of intriguing images, but to provide a valuable resource for researchers, naturalists, and anyone interested in the intersection of photography, history, and the natural world. It offers a unique perspective on the evolution of our visual understanding of life on Earth, illustrating the evolving capabilities of photographic technology and the enduring human fascination with documenting the diversity of the biosphere.

  • photography
  • history of photography
  • natural history
  • wildlife photography
  • Biodiversity
  • species documentation
  • scientific photography
  • iNaturalist
  • Citizen Science
  • rare species
  • historical records
  • archives
  • Biology
  • ecology

  Summary of Comments ( 41 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43428409

  Verbose tl;dr

  HN users generally found the iNaturalist project documenting first known photographs of species fascinating. Several commenters highlighted the surprisingly recent dates for some common species, like the European hedgehog in 1932. Discussion arose around the challenges of verification and the definition of a "good" photograph, with some suggesting the inclusion of museum specimens as a valuable addition. Others pointed out potential biases in the dataset, such as a focus on charismatic megafauna or limitations based on photographic technology availability and adoption across regions. The project's value in demonstrating biodiversity loss and changing species distributions was also acknowledged.

  The Hacker News post titled "First Known Photographs of Living Specimens" linking to an iNaturalist project, sparked a modest discussion with a few interesting points. Several commenters expressed general appreciation for the project and its historical significance.

  One commenter highlighted the fascinating intersection of photography's early days and the documentation of the natural world. They pointed out the remarkable patience required for these early exposures, considering the long exposure times needed with early photographic techniques, especially when photographing living subjects. This highlighted the dedication and ingenuity involved in capturing these images.

  Another commenter picked up on this theme, expressing awe at the thought of these early photographers managing to capture these images at all, given the technological limitations. They considered it a "minor miracle" that such photos exist, emphasizing how difficult it must have been compared to modern photography.

  A separate comment focused on the technical aspects of early photography, specifically mentioning the daguerreotype process and the challenges of capturing moving subjects. They noted the rarity of living subjects in early photographs, which adds to the project's value in showcasing these rare examples. This commenter also linked to an earlier Hacker News discussion about the earliest known photograph of a person, further enriching the context of the original post.

  The discussion also briefly touched on the definition of "living specimens," with one commenter suggesting potential additions to the project featuring plant life. This comment sparked a reply questioning the inclusion of plants, potentially based on a narrower interpretation of "specimen." This exchange, while brief, raised an interesting point about the scope and interpretation of the project's focus.

  Finally, a commenter mentioned the project's reliance on the "first known" qualifier, acknowledging the possibility of undiscovered or misidentified earlier photographs. This points to the evolving nature of historical research and the potential for future discoveries to reshape our understanding of early photography and its subjects.

  Overall, the comments on Hacker News reflect a general appreciation for the iNaturalist project, highlighting the historical and technical significance of these early photographs. The discussion revolves around the challenges of early photography, the rarity of capturing living subjects, and the ever-present possibility of new discoveries. While not a lengthy discussion, the comments provide valuable insights and context to the linked project.

• Cameras of 1930s Era

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  Posted: 2025-02-06 08:43:51

  Verbose tl;dr

  The 1930s saw a diverse range of camera formats coexisting, from large format plate cameras favored by professionals to increasingly popular roll-film cameras like folding cameras and box cameras for casual users. Miniature format cameras using 35mm film, though existing, were still gaining traction. The era was characterized by evolving technology, with advancements in lenses, shutters, and film contributing to improved image quality and ease of use for amateur photographers. While sophisticated, high-quality cameras were available, affordability remained a barrier for many, with simpler, more accessible cameras dominating the consumer market.

  The informative webpage hosted by the Living Image Museum, entitled "Cameras of 1930s Era," offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of amateur photography during the 1930s, a period marked by significant technological advancements and burgeoning public interest in the medium. The page meticulously reconstructs a typical middle-class British family's interaction with photography in that decade, focusing on the equipment commonly available and the photographic practices they employed.

  The narrative begins by establishing the context of the era, emphasizing the increasing affordability and accessibility of cameras, coupled with the rise of easily processed film formats like 120 roll film. This democratization of photography meant that capturing family moments and personal experiences was no longer the exclusive domain of professionals or the wealthy elite. Instead, ordinary individuals could document their lives, travels, and special occasions with relative ease.

  The website then delves into the specific types of cameras prominent in the 1930s, showcasing iconic models such as folding cameras and box cameras. Folding cameras, known for their compactness and portability when folded, offered more advanced features like adjustable apertures and focusing mechanisms, catering to the burgeoning enthusiast photographer. Box cameras, on the other hand, represented the simplest and most economical option, often characterized by fixed focus and limited controls, ideal for casual snapshots and family portraits. The page provides detailed descriptions and images of these cameras, illustrating their design and functionalities.

  Beyond the hardware itself, the webpage also elucidates the photographic process typical of the 1930s. It discusses the prevalent film formats, highlighting the popularity of 120 roll film, which offered a good balance between image quality and ease of handling. The process of developing and printing photographs is also touched upon, explaining the relatively straightforward methods available to amateur photographers at the time, empowering them to control the entire photographic workflow from capture to final print.

  Furthermore, the article underscores the social impact of these technological advancements. The proliferation of affordable cameras and simplified photographic processes fostered a culture of visual storytelling, allowing families to document their lives in a manner previously unimaginable. The rise of photo albums and the practice of sharing photographs with friends and relatives became ingrained in the social fabric, solidifying photography’s role as a powerful medium for preserving memories and strengthening social bonds.

  In conclusion, the "Cameras of 1930s Era" webpage provides a comprehensive and engaging exploration of amateur photography in the 1930s, illuminating not just the technical aspects of the cameras and processes involved, but also the broader social and cultural impact of photography's increasing accessibility during this pivotal period. It paints a vivid picture of how families interacted with this evolving technology, transforming the way they documented and shared their lives.

  • 1930s
  • cameras
  • photography
  • history of photography
  • vintage cameras
  • antique cameras
  • film cameras
  • 1930s technology
  • photographic equipment
  • historical technology
  • vintage technology
  • museum exhibits
  • Living Image Museum

  Summary of Comments ( 59 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42960382

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News users discussed the practicality and social implications of the "Living Image" setup described in the linked article. Some questioned the claimed real-time nature of the system given the technological limitations of the 1930s, suggesting significant latency and low resolution would have hampered true "live" viewing. Others pointed out the substantial resources required, making it an exclusive technology accessible only to the very wealthy. The potential for surveillance and voyeurism was also raised, with comparisons to modern security systems and the panopticon concept. Finally, several commenters expressed fascination with the ingenuity of the system and the glimpse it provided into the technological aspirations of the era.

  The Hacker News post titled "Cameras of 1930s Era" linking to a 3D model of a 1930s room generated a moderate number of comments, mostly focusing on the technical aspects of the model and the historical context.

  Several commenters expressed fascination with the level of detail in the 3D model, praising the creator's effort in recreating the room and its objects. They discussed the techniques used to create such a model, speculating about photogrammetry or manual modeling based on photographs. Some pointed out specific details they found interesting, like the inclusion of a specific type of camera or the arrangement of objects in the room. The realism and immersiveness of the model were recurring themes.

  A few comments delved into the historical aspects of the room, discussing the types of cameras depicted and their significance in the history of photography. They mentioned brands like Leica and Rolleiflex, contextualizing them within the 1930s photography landscape. Some comments also touched upon the social and cultural context of the time, reflecting on the differences between photography then and now.

  There was some discussion about the purpose of creating such a model, with some suggesting it could be valuable for educational or historical preservation purposes. One commenter explored the idea of using similar techniques to recreate other historical spaces or even entire cities.

  A smaller thread branched off discussing LiDAR technology and its potential for creating similar models, comparing its advantages and disadvantages to photogrammetry.

  While there wasn't a single overwhelmingly compelling comment, the collective discussion offered a mix of technical appreciation, historical context, and speculation about the future of such 3D modeling. The comments demonstrate the diverse interests of the Hacker News community and how a seemingly simple 3D model can spark a multi-faceted conversation.