Fixing The Shadow

Fixing the Shadows is an interesting BBC documentary charting the the history of photography. It begins with the idea of photography and what it can actually mean to certain individuals and meanings that can be drawn from it. It looks at the mysterious power which a photograph can hold between not only those who see it but those who are in it and the stories which are being told along with the questions being asked. The documentary examines the intrigue with which photography is still connected with today.

We are introduced to the idea of a camera obscura which is an optical device that projects an image of its surroundings on a screen or clear surface. It is used in drawing and was one of the inventions which led to photography and the camera. We are also introduced to Andre Kertesz who is described as one of the forefathers of what is now modern photography. Along with Kertesz, Englishman Henry Talbot made major contributions to the development of photography as an artistic medium. His work on photo reproduction led to the creation of the photo glyphic engraving process. As with many inventors and artists Talbot had a rival in the form of Louis Daguere who was famous for the daguerreotype of photography. Although Daguere's biggest problem was that he went in search of fame while Talbot looked at developing his medium and ultimately it was Talbot who found the fame Deguere sought. The biggest issue for Geguere was the daguerreotype method could not produce multiple copies of a photo.

Nelsons Column Under Construction - Henry Talbot

We then see with photographers such as Eliphat Brown how photography travelled all the way around the world with some of her photographs from Asia.

Eliphat Brown - Japanese Women

As we progress we later see how artists changed their painting style to incorporate the cropping styles used in photography. While certain photographers and artists from today such as William Burke explain how their art has developed and exists today thanks to the expanding life of photographers and photography.

William Burke - NY Crime Scene

Finally we learn how George Eastman founded the Kodak company in 1888 which still exists today and how their Brownie Camera opened up photography to the entire public while the rest as they say is history.