Inventing Photography

Catalog description

Photography is a young medium and yet its history can be traced through differing narratives. Was the medium born in a French patent office, when the sun burned a handprint in silver salt, or when human eyes saw an inverted image projected into a dark space? Does photography reflect the perspective and biases of its inventors and users, or does it reinvent how we see the world? This seminar will take material and theoretical approaches to understanding the histories of photography. Students will handle original materials from photography’s history, make photographs using historic chemical-processes and styles while we learn about the history of early photography. This class will also include lectures and discussions of readings. This class will visit archives and museums on and off of campus. Prior experience with photography is welcome but not required.