For my photography unit I was instructed
to find 2 historic photography influences. I decided to look at the work of William Henry Fox Talbot, he was known as the father of photography so I was interested to discover more about his type of work.
I found out that, as well as known for his photography, he was also an eminent mathematician, astronomer and archaeologist. He also invented salted paper and calotype processes.
In 1839, Talbot reported his, 'art of photogenic drawing ' to the Royal Society. After experimenting with development processes, he discovered that, if he made prints on light sensitive paper, they produced a positive result. He went on to experiment with exposure time and accidentally discovered that a print does not need as much exposure time as he first thought. He realised that if he added a chemical to the 'negative' image, the image was able to be viewed in the light, without fading. He then expanded on that idea by repeating the process on other negative prints, he called this process calotype.
In 1842, he was presented with a medal from the Royal Society for all his hard work.
I sourced some images online which were taken by Talbot, what makes the images extra special is the originality of them and that these are, and will always be an incredible part of our history.
Window in the South Gallery of Lacock Abby.
This first image is known as the oldest photographic negative in existence.
London Street. reading East side, c. 1845
miss Horatia Feilding, half sister of W.H.F Talbot
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