The ‘Points of View: Capturing the 19th Century in Photographs’ exhibition is one solely about photography. It is amazing that photography is a required function of different occasions today. You take photographs of the events because you want to because you want to retain those moments in your memory forever.
You can now see a photo catching device in everyone’s hand but photography was not so common centuries back. The invention of photography took place 170 years ago. At that time photography was very expensive and was limited only to rich families who could afford the expenses. Nowadays you could take photographs in thousands of colors but in earlier days producing a photo in so many colors was not possible.
The exhibition at the British Library takes us back to a time long past when photography was a matter of skill and bulky equipment. Visitors will be able to see 250 or more rarely seen images that were captured mainly in the 19th century. These images show how technology has advanced to make photography a better art. This is the library’s first photographic exhibition of this magnitude.
Some of the highlights of the exhibition includes William Henry Fox Talbot’s piece ‘An oak tree in winter’ from 1942-43 and Eduard Valenta and Josef Maria Eder piece ‘X-ray Photograph of Frogs’ from 1896. Each photograph presented is done in terms of subject matter and also the cultural context. Thus the viewer can’t help but wonder the reason behind the taking each picture. Some of the century’s key themes are explored in the exhibition which makes it interesting to see.
The programme also includes family events, talks, and a few performances. Visitors will be able to participate in an event where the immediate areas of the library itself will be photographed.
This exhibition is one everyone should see and go back again and again.
By the way, I have finally been paid for that last photography job that I did, you all know what that implies, it’s about time to hit the mall and pick up that new outfit of gore running wear that I have been waiting to get. Carvell, are you up for a trip to the high streets this week?
