I think you will find that photography will work on its own, just like 
any other art form.  At least it will if you choose your images well.

   Another option however, may be to bring in photographers.  Let them 
display the equipment and discuss the process.  I don't know where you arte 
located, but I know a few photographers across teh country who practice some 
of the earlier processes.  In fact wetplate is going through something oif a 
revivial presently.  There are even a few daguerrians out there.

    Photography's history starts certainly in the early 19th century, one 
could argue late 18th century.  This was all as experiments however. 
Photography was not an accidental discovery.  Several men were activly 
engaged in trying to create it.   The first proven, succesful photograph 
dates from 1826.  This image was taken by Joseph-Nicephore Niépce and still 
survives.  There are a few claims to even earlier photographs, but never 
proven.

    What happened in 1839, was the presentation of the first practical 
photography (Niépce's image had an exposure time of eight hours). Daguerre 
had already perfected his process in 1837 however.  Of course there is also 
Fox's method.

Ron Carnegie
Wet Plate Photographer (mid 19th century)
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Heidi Campbell-Shoaf" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 9:22 AM
Subject: Re: How to make a photography exhibition exciting?


> Well, first, and this is from a historic photo geek so forgive me if I 
> sound
> a bit pompous, but you cannot have early 19th century photographs since 
> the
> process was not invented and available widely until 1839. Of course, I 
> guess
> it depends on what you define as early 19th century.
>
> Some ideas for you exhibition:
>
> Talk about the development of photography and the different processes in 
> use
> early on.
>
> If you have old cameras, photographer's advertisements, props, etc. that
> would help make a "flat" exhibit more 3-dimensional.
>
> What are the subjects of your photos? Are they portraits, outdoor scenes,
> artistic compositions, photos of paintings, etc.?
>
> Who is your audience? It seems you are already convinced that they will 
> find
> even the thought of a photography exhibit boring.
>
> Heidi Campbell-Shoaf, Curator
> Historical Society of Frederick County
> 24 East Church Street
> Frederick, Md. 21701
> www.hsfcinfo.org
> 

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