Exposing Photography: Anything But A Small Business
March 6, 2023 - January 13, 2024
Marquette Regional History Center Special Exhibit Gallery
Marquette Regional History Center Special Exhibit Gallery
Since the 1850s and 1860s, photographers and artists have been documenting the Marquette area’s people and places. Some set up businesses for only a year or two, while others established long lasting businesses. Some photographers travelled around the Lake Superior region to capture scenic views.
Following the invention of the daguerreotype, photography became a commercial possibility in the 1840s. Commercial photographers documented much of the area’s industry from copper and iron mines to transportation. They photographed Native Americans and local scenery.
Early photographers sold their images, usually in the form of a stereograph. The photos were also shipped to major retail outlets in the US and some of them were reproduced as engravings in Harper’s Weekly. Before television or the internet or even colorful magazines, these stereograph images entertained and educated, bringing images from around the world into one’s own living room. Along with commercial images, professional photographers took studio photos of families, newly married couples, and other groups of people. These portraits were their main source of income.
Most of the photographers can be considered artists: not only does their work show artistry in composition, they described themselves as artists. Many were able to sketch, paint, and hand color photographs. Many photographers first were artists who took up photography.
Several local photographers won awards and received international acclaim. We’ll also look at several amateur photographers, including wildlife photographers. George Shiras III is the most famous wildlife photographer of the region. Other photographers, particularly part of the Huron Mountain Club, also pursued flashlight photography of wildlife.
We are pleased to offer a special tour of the exhibit with photography historian Jack Deo, and curator Jo Wittler, here.
Following the invention of the daguerreotype, photography became a commercial possibility in the 1840s. Commercial photographers documented much of the area’s industry from copper and iron mines to transportation. They photographed Native Americans and local scenery.
Early photographers sold their images, usually in the form of a stereograph. The photos were also shipped to major retail outlets in the US and some of them were reproduced as engravings in Harper’s Weekly. Before television or the internet or even colorful magazines, these stereograph images entertained and educated, bringing images from around the world into one’s own living room. Along with commercial images, professional photographers took studio photos of families, newly married couples, and other groups of people. These portraits were their main source of income.
Most of the photographers can be considered artists: not only does their work show artistry in composition, they described themselves as artists. Many were able to sketch, paint, and hand color photographs. Many photographers first were artists who took up photography.
Several local photographers won awards and received international acclaim. We’ll also look at several amateur photographers, including wildlife photographers. George Shiras III is the most famous wildlife photographer of the region. Other photographers, particularly part of the Huron Mountain Club, also pursued flashlight photography of wildlife.
We are pleased to offer a special tour of the exhibit with photography historian Jack Deo, and curator Jo Wittler, here.