Daguerreotypes were a pretty amazing invention for the 1830s. It was one of the inventions that marked the beginning of the modern age. The Developing Greatness exhibit on display until December 30, celebrates this remarkable invention.
On Friday, a true daguerreotype scholar, Grant B. Romer, will be at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. He will be giving an illustrated lecture on Friday night about the American experience with daguerreotype studios. He will discuss the perspectives of being behind and in front of the camera.
The exposure time for these little pictures could range from three to 15 minutes, making portraiture pretty impractical. The length of time adds to the honesty of the photograph, but can you imagine posing for family holiday pictures for 10 minutes?
Romer has edited numerous books on daguerreotypes, so missing this expert’s lecture on the origins of photography would certainly be a shame.