Photography was a hobby I really enjoyed growing up in the sixties. Loved all those photo magazines, and especially National Geographic. Folks today take it for granted, but the whole field was built from the bones up, and it just got better and better over the years. Now people use their smartphones and get very excellent pictures. Developing film in the old days was more expensive, and you had to wait sometimes for a week to see your photos. Then came 3 day developing, then one hour. Now the field of photography is so advanced and has so many uses in science, medicine, astronomy, macro, micro....amazing. More amazing to us old folks, because we never knew how far it would go, while sitting on a beach and posing for our parents, as they held a cumbersome box camera or a brownie camera, and recorded a moment in our young lives.
A really well done documentary actually presented by someone who knows about the subject, not just another generic Stephen Fry presents X. There were a couple more photographers I had hoped he would mention in the 1850s/60s but overall it was excellent. I like the focus on explaining the technical aspects of early photography and how it began to transition from purely an art form to an industry.
The age of the daguerreotype, what's always considered the default "first photographic process," lasted barely twenty years. Fox Talbot's system - which was about printing on paper with a negative and the ability to make copies - eventually became THE photographic process until digital made traditional photography look like, you know: a relic from the 1830s.
It is a very interesting dicumentary, but there is an important part of british photography missing, the daguerrean age. England had a unique case in the daguerreotype age, since it was the only place in the world where that very successfull process was ever patented. That cause a very special way of producong daguerreotypes. London was the center of that production. Prince Albert and Queen Victoria were first photographed in this process. By important early portrait photographers like Antoine Claudet, Mayall and Kilburn. The photographic portraiture was carefuly hand colored and tinted in a very realistic and transparent way. A technique very particular used in England. The popularity and technological advance of daguerreotypes was best on show in the Great Exposition of 1851, where stereoscopy was introduced and extensively used in the Cristal Palace. In that year Daguerre died and Scot Archer invented the next revolution in early photography. In fact the best portrait of Fox Talbot (the oval daguerreotype portrait in this documentary) is in his rival's process...
Very interesting documentary. I recently started to read a history of photography book so this was a good 2nd reference with video visuals to supplement the photos in the book.
Thank you for your fascinating video. I just so happen to be reading Photography In Print edited by Vicki Goldberg a book I was suppose to have read in 1984 but just got to it but anyway it was really interesting to see where these people lived and how they worked. Well done.
The problem nowadays is we are flooded with images. People can take a good photo in seconds on their phone. Modern technology has ended any chance of a genuinely talented photographer to make a name for himself in the industry. Photographers of the past had to work hard to get good images. In those days with limited equipment, a good photo stood out like a piece of art.
No offense intended, but that material has been covered relentlessly and exhaustively. I assumed you missed the title of this series: "BRITAIN in Focus," not "France in Focus."
Photography was a hobby I really enjoyed growing up in the sixties. Loved all those photo magazines, and especially National Geographic. Folks today take it for granted, but the whole field was built from the bones up, and it just got better and better over the years. Now people use their smartphones and get very excellent pictures. Developing film in the old days was more expensive, and you had to wait sometimes for a week to see your photos. Then came 3 day developing, then one hour. Now the field of photography is so advanced and has so many uses in science, medicine, astronomy, macro, micro....amazing. More amazing to us old folks, because we never knew how far it would go, while sitting on a beach and posing for our parents, as they held a cumbersome box camera or a brownie camera, and recorded a moment in our young lives.
No comments - really? Superb programme. Put aside one hour to learn so much. Photography, art, science, sociology.... fantastic!
The BBC documentaries are the best of the best! Astonishing quality! Thanks for posting!
True. I see that BBC logo in the corner and know I'm about to go on a awesome ride.
what a treat! Watch this if you are interested in life itself. Way beyond photographic history.
At 35:15 he was explaining with details what he was going to do with the old camera and wet plate. At the end uses a dSLR.
Thanks I love you
A really well done documentary actually presented by someone who knows about the subject, not just another generic Stephen Fry presents X. There were a couple more photographers I had hoped he would mention in the 1850s/60s but overall it was excellent. I like the focus on explaining the technical aspects of early photography and how it began to transition from purely an art form to an industry.
The age of the daguerreotype, what's always considered the default "first photographic process," lasted barely twenty years. Fox Talbot's system - which was about printing on paper with a negative and the ability to make copies - eventually became THE photographic process until digital made traditional photography look like, you know: a relic from the 1830s.
Can somebody please tell me the name of the music at: 47:57 ? I cannot find it in the description. Great music & great video !! Thank you !
It is a very interesting dicumentary, but there is an important part of british photography missing, the daguerrean age. England had a unique case in the daguerreotype age, since it was the only place in the world where that very successfull process was ever patented. That cause a very special way of producong daguerreotypes. London was the center of that production. Prince Albert and Queen Victoria were first photographed in this process. By important early portrait photographers like Antoine Claudet, Mayall and Kilburn. The photographic portraiture was carefuly hand colored and tinted in a very realistic and transparent way. A technique very particular used in England. The popularity and technological advance of daguerreotypes was best on show in the Great Exposition of 1851, where stereoscopy was introduced and extensively used in the Cristal Palace. In that year Daguerre died and Scot Archer invented the next revolution in early photography. In fact the best portrait of Fox Talbot (the oval daguerreotype portrait in this documentary) is in his rival's process...
Very interesting documentary. I recently started to read a history of photography book so this was a good 2nd reference with video visuals to supplement the photos in the book.
A very nice program and interesting interpretation of how wet plates were done in the 19th century.
35:19 really - last thing you want is a digital camera!
Thank you for your fascinating video. I just so happen to be reading Photography In Print edited by Vicki Goldberg a book I was suppose to have read in 1984 but just got to it but anyway it was really interesting to see where these people lived and how they worked.
Well done.
Enjoyed it
Thanks
Fantastic doc.
This was sooo informative. Wonderful documentary
Amazing invention, poor Archer is owed a massive debt
Yo can you tell me 10 facts in this video
Preserving the history with the art of photography
The problem nowadays is we are flooded with images. People can take a good photo in seconds on their phone. Modern technology has ended any chance of a genuinely talented photographer to make a name for himself in the industry. Photographers of the past had to work hard to get good images. In those days with limited equipment, a good photo stood out like a piece of art.
Can you give me 10 facts about the doc
BBC documentaries are amazing
Thanks for everything man its great
The show is OK. However, it is very British-centered, ignoring most developments of photography taking part in France at that time.
No offense intended, but that material has been covered relentlessly and exhaustively. I assumed you missed the title of this series: "BRITAIN in Focus," not "France in Focus."
Qamar/Kamar/Camar=in Arabic mean "Room"= Camera, same origin word of Alcohol, Algebra, Algorithm, Alcázar
Wow 20 minute exposure!! I bet they make sure their clients weren’t caffeinated!! Haha
“Trouble is, this camera doesn’t work”…….
Well. Now I have photography blue balls 😂
why not start with the first images ... EVER ?
yes very interesting stuff indeed
Can you give me 10 facts about this video
@@King-vz4rr no but i can give you 10 reason why your momma dont love you
Canon 5d mark 4 or nikon d850 which is the best camera for shooting movie.... thank u for help
Can i have your facebook id
sony a73 or a7r3
History of british photograph change it
How about "BRITAIN in Focus"? Oh, that's right - that IS the title of this series.