1. What are main differences and similarities between portraits in the early days of photography and portraits today?
Portraits in the early days of photography and portraits today share a lot of differences. The main reason why portraits were taken in the early days was for social status. The higher social classes, such as, the doctors, lawyers, and politicians would always have their portraits taken. Anybody in today’s society can take a picture. In the society we live in today, it has nothing to do with social status; it is more a part of our everyday lives. Another difference is what is being taken. In the early days the main things that would be photographed were people. These photographers would only devote them self to portrait photography. Today, photographers are more likely to take pictures of landscapes, scenery, animals ect.
an example of a portrait that would be taken in the 1800's
an example of a family portrait that would be taken in todays society.
2. Who was the photographer and who was the subject of photographs in the past and today?
The photographers in the early days were photographers who devoted their time to portrait photography. These photographers would work from their studios and take portraits of the rich social classes. For example, Mathew Brady had a luxurious studio from which he would take portraits of only rich clients, such as doctors, merchants and Politian’s. However, there were other photographers who managed to make portraits cheaper so everyday people could have pictures as well. In today’s day and age, anyone who wants to be can be a photographer and the subjects are endless. The subjects can range from friends to stranger, and from animals to trees. The possibilities are endless in today’s society.
Mathew Brady, a photographer who opened a luxurious studio in New York
This picture demonstrates the fact that anyone in today's society can be a photographer.
The impact on technology in the past was very evident. There were many technological advances that made photography easier. Wet collodion was a method that was used in the 1800’s. photography has come a long way since the 1800’s. In today’s world we have advanced so far in technology. Digital cameras are the newest technological advancement and they have simplified photography. They have also made photography assessable for beginners.
an antique wood camera from the 1900's
an SLR Camera from present day.
