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January 22, 2009 9:24 PM Subscribe
A history of the camera and its' effects on modern society in five paragraphs.
I need some sources to research the history of the camera (as an invention) and the effects it has had on society. Information on the development of the device is easy to find, I could probably write on its' effect on society from my own experiences but I need sources.
Any specific photographs that had a great impact on the world come to mind? Civil War ( Bradys photos, hanging of Lincolns' conspirators), the great depression (dustbowl. breadlines), vietnam (execution, napalm attack), the Earth from the moon, Obamas inauguration and so on.
Does anyone know of a book, museum, website, university department, traveling circus etc... that I can read/view?
The report is not to be too in depth, but, I need sources. Thanks in advance.
I need some sources to research the history of the camera (as an invention) and the effects it has had on society. Information on the development of the device is easy to find, I could probably write on its' effect on society from my own experiences but I need sources.
Any specific photographs that had a great impact on the world come to mind? Civil War ( Bradys photos, hanging of Lincolns' conspirators), the great depression (dustbowl. breadlines), vietnam (execution, napalm attack), the Earth from the moon, Obamas inauguration and so on.
Does anyone know of a book, museum, website, university department, traveling circus etc... that I can read/view?
The report is not to be too in depth, but, I need sources. Thanks in advance.
And probably this book as well - Barthe's Camera Lucida. Check out the references at the bottom of the page for some more relevant and condensed material.
posted by Kerasia at 9:44 PM on January 22, 2009
posted by Kerasia at 9:44 PM on January 22, 2009
You could probably glean through the intro pages on a few of the texts mentioned in this previous thread: What are some good books on the theory or aesthetics of photography?
I think you could use any number of photographs that had a significant impact on public sentiment and changed the course of a particular agenda.
So we're talking photography, as in still images with a camera that uses celluloid. This almost excludes instant dissemination, anything beyond 1970/80... somehow I think it's important to mention that.
I'd go with an image from Vietnam. I'd check with Susan Sontag --particularly the last one she published "Regarding the Pain of Others." Reason being is there was such clear public outrage against this war and the various phases it went through. Much of this was driven by the still imagery published in the papers.
posted by ezekieldas at 9:48 PM on January 22, 2009
I think you could use any number of photographs that had a significant impact on public sentiment and changed the course of a particular agenda.
So we're talking photography, as in still images with a camera that uses celluloid. This almost excludes instant dissemination, anything beyond 1970/80... somehow I think it's important to mention that.
I'd go with an image from Vietnam. I'd check with Susan Sontag --particularly the last one she published "Regarding the Pain of Others." Reason being is there was such clear public outrage against this war and the various phases it went through. Much of this was driven by the still imagery published in the papers.
posted by ezekieldas at 9:48 PM on January 22, 2009
Best answer: Try researching Ansel Adams and his photography for the Sierra Club, or Margaret Bourke-White's photojournalism for Life magazine. There's also Lewis Hine, who advocated for an end to child labor and used photographs of children who were weary and suffering to make an effective point many historians feel was instrumental in the outlawing of child labor in America.
As you can guess, photography was most influential around the late 1800's and early 1900's because of photography first emerging and the push for reform to take care of the poor and better protect workers. I think I remember also hearing that before World War 2 the ability to transfer photographs quickly via wire or phone was revolutionary for photojournalism, first being used widely to transmit the Hindenburg burning. I don't remember the exact name for the technology, but hopefully someone else does or it's a good lead for you.
Anyway, focus on the period I suggested, and you'll find a lot of good things to include. Sorry my links are to Wikipedia, but you could probably find a good source with a Google search or at your local library™.
posted by mccarty.tim at 10:23 PM on January 22, 2009
As you can guess, photography was most influential around the late 1800's and early 1900's because of photography first emerging and the push for reform to take care of the poor and better protect workers. I think I remember also hearing that before World War 2 the ability to transfer photographs quickly via wire or phone was revolutionary for photojournalism, first being used widely to transmit the Hindenburg burning. I don't remember the exact name for the technology, but hopefully someone else does or it's a good lead for you.
Anyway, focus on the period I suggested, and you'll find a lot of good things to include. Sorry my links are to Wikipedia, but you could probably find a good source with a Google search or at your local library™.
posted by mccarty.tim at 10:23 PM on January 22, 2009
Beaumont Newhall's History of Photography is very accessible.
posted by MagicalHypotenuse at 1:25 AM on January 23, 2009
posted by MagicalHypotenuse at 1:25 AM on January 23, 2009
Rebecca Solnit's River of Shadows has some interesting thoughts on the matter. It covers the life and career of Eadweard Muybridge, who was a pioneer in high-speed, stop-motion photography. His work let people see, for the first time ever, things too fast for the eye to see -- things like galloping horses frozen mid-stride, acrobats doing somersaults, droplets of water flying through the air -- and paved the way for moving pictures. Solnit suggests that this was tantamount to time and space travel, allowing viewers to experience something they hadn't been physically or temporally present for. It's a fun read.
posted by jon1270 at 2:10 AM on January 23, 2009
posted by jon1270 at 2:10 AM on January 23, 2009
Geoffry Batchen's Burning with Desire: The Conception of Photography
is a very good overview of the societal changes that took place just before, during, and just after the birth of photography. It's a fairly succinct book that explores changes in society's visual literacy that sets us up for the explosion of imagery in the late 19th century and into the 20th.
posted by gyusan at 9:58 AM on January 23, 2009
is a very good overview of the societal changes that took place just before, during, and just after the birth of photography. It's a fairly succinct book that explores changes in society's visual literacy that sets us up for the explosion of imagery in the late 19th century and into the 20th.
posted by gyusan at 9:58 AM on January 23, 2009
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posted by Fiasco da Gama at 9:34 PM on January 22, 2009