Pre-Digital Photographic Technology Chapter 2

Pre-Digital Photographic Technology

Matthew Jones

Taken by JAMES MCPHERSON

Frederick Scott Archer and Gustave Le Gray invented the collodion press. During 1880 the collodion press was replaced by gelatin dry plates, which included a photographic emulsion of sliver halides that was suspended in gelatin. When watching the video by Matthew Brady and Roger Fenton on the content page they state that the process of the wet plate collodion process “can be difficult and somewhat dangerous to do” However if you were able to master this process back in the day your work would be shown in great detail.

Looking at the articles that Professor Nordell posted in the content page I found out that Photography was extremely difficult and took a long time to process during the Civil War. During that period of time the equipment was extremely heavy therefore it isn’t that mobile when it comes to take pictures on the move. According to Sam Cooley from civil war trust  “photojournalists had to take into account that they had to be prepared to process cumbersome light – sensitive images in cramped wagons” Cameras during the Civil War were oversized and difficult to maneuver. All of the chemicals that was used in the process had to be mixed by hand, which again is very hard to do.

This made it very challenging for photojournalists to produce their work for the public because it was a long process to do so. Another challenge they faced was that they had to get up-close to the action in order to get a clear image. According to Bob Capa from skylighters “a photojournalist climbed into a landing craft with men of Company E in the early morning hours of D-Day”. During that period, they didn’t have the luxury of zooming in from a distance It was there job to take pictures so they could make money. In some way it was like a game for a photojournalist because you had to be present at a scene before something happens. D. Travis North from Shutter Photo stated “Weegee was the only newspaper reporter that had a permit to have a portable police-band radio in his car. Clearly, the goal was to make sure that he had a method for finding the news and getting the shot” The work that Weegee produced was very clever and people enjoyed viewing it.

I have found out that the process from what it was like during the civil war time to now is completely different. I can go on my phone and take a picture and straight away it is saved on my phone. Were as if I was using the collodion press it would take a long time to save the image and develop it into a suitable piece of work.

Photo by Matthew Jones 

Can Photographs Change the World-Matthew Jones

Can Photographs Change the World?  

Photograph by Michael Curtis 

Photograph by Gay Jeff

I have chosen this picture because it had a great effect on me. The reason for this is that I am from England and this picture is about the peace settlement between Germany and Great Britain. However, this can also mean that at the time we England as a country was desperate and therefore gave into Germany demands hence why we have this peace agreement with each other.

This picture changes the world because this showed the people what went on without telling them the story. People are going to find out what happened to these people once they see the picture. Without out a doubt this picture shows one of the worst disasters in history. This picture also set the stage for equality meaning it doesn’t matter what religion you support or what you look like everyone should be treated as one.

Watching the video of Professor Nordell he mentions “If there is a tree that has fallen in the woods, did the event happen or you’re not allowed to publish the image due to censorship” This is true in today’s society. There are so many rules about pictures getting publish for example the people who have a higher authority over you e.g.: the government may want you to remove the image or if a different country that is connected to the picture feels like it affects them in some way.

Another video that shows that videos can change the world is from Jonathan Klein who states that “Pictures can draw reactions on the people looking at it” In my opinion this is true because people can get persuaded by a different aspect of a person view. Images can provoke others and make them stand up for their view which is now happening in today society. Weather its religion race or wealth people are standing up on what they believe in.

Thirdly, I found out in module three “six companies control 90% of the media in the United States” This shows that only six companies have a real say in what is publish to the country.  This is an example of control censorship. Lastly another example that shows photographs can change the world is the picture of the Russian president who was seen dancing at a rock concert. This showed that he was in good condition therefore he was able to win his election.