1. What are main differences and similarities between portraits in the early days of photography and portraits today?
There are many differences and similarities between portraits in the early days of photography and portraits today. One big difference is that the quality and color of photos. Mr. Daguerre and Mr. Talbot, who were famous photographers in 1830’s, invented Daguerreotype and Calotype. Daguerreotype created images on silver plated copper and developed with warmed mercury. Calotype created negative images using paper soaked in silver chloride and sensitized with iodine vapors; therefore, portraits in the early days were mostly black, white or brown. Today, with a technological revolution, digital cameras were invented and as a result, photographs are in full-colored and high quality images, so people can get clear pictures. Photography and portraits in today’s world are also similarities from portraits in early days in some ways. One similarity is that photographs help people to build up a picture of life in early days and present days because these pictures capture time and the environment.
Portrait of a Child - N. Pieneman Anon.Portrait, late 19th century
(Fodor Museum, Amsterdam)
Source: http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Dutch_Art_in_the Nineteenth_Century/The_History-painters
http://www.answers.com/topic/ferrotype
2. Who was the photographer and who was the subject of photographs in the past and today?
In the past, the photographer was a painter or an artist who devoted their time in photography art. Since cameras in the early days were so expensive and hard to operate, photographers at that time had had high degree chemistry knowledge. Most people could not afford them, but only some people who were in high social status could take a photograph. They would hire photographers to come and take portraits of them. Now, anyone who can afford buy a camera could be a photographer. Photography is not only for rich people but everyone else. There are a great number of cameras available in today’s market. Most of the digital cameras today have a very polish design to them, making them very lightweight and convenient to carry. Moreover, it is not difficult for them to operate, and developing pictures are also cheap and easy; so, most people have their own camera and can take pictures anywhere with anyone, anything, and anytime.
Photographers in the past
Source: http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-greatest-inventions-of-the-19th-century.php
Today's Photographer
Source: http://www.pixiq.com/article/todays-top-100-photographers-on-twitter
3. What was the impact on technology on the portraits in the past and today?
Technology did play a significant role in photography. In the past, only black and white images were available and they were not clear. Nowadays, photographs are more vivid with many different colors and high-end quality. In the process of developing pictures, photography is easier to develop and a result, today, people can quickly get pictures whenever they want, but in the early days, it was hard to develop them because the process took a long time. Advanced technology increased the performances of cameras and brought photography into a more improved era. Photos can be operated to make them better by editing errors or changing colors and backgrounds. Today, people are living convenient lives thanks to advanced technology.
Sample of photo manipulation
Source:http://www.elistmania.com/still/20_female_celebrities_before_after_photoshop
Source:http://www.elistmania.com/still/20_female_celebrities_before_after_photoshop
CLAIRE COHEN compares the London of a century ago with photographs
takenat the same locations today.
Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1258785/Unseen-images-lost-London-really-capital-place-live.html
