Photographs in the “Hidden mother” genre (second half of the 19th century)
During the Victorian era, a peculiar style of photography known as "Hidden Mother" gained popularity. Since long exposure times were required to clear photographs, keeping a young child still for the duration was a challenge. As a result, the child was often held by an adult, such as the mother, father, or a nanny. To ensure the adult didn't appear in the final image, they would be hidden behind bedspreads, curtains, or even hidden under furniture, with some photos being retouched to remove the adult altogether. The outcome could sometimes appear unsettling.
The reason why parents preferred not to appear in photos with their children remains unclear. It's possible that they simply wanted to shift all the focus to the child. As technology advanced in the 1920s, the popularity of this photography trend waned. However, about a decade ago, these images resurfaced online, with people sharing them in fascination at the peculiarities of their ancestors. Collector Linda Fregni Nagler even published a book dedicated to this unusual phenomenon.
Temple Boulevard (1838)
One of the earliest surviving photographs, taken by Louis Daguerre in 1837 or 1838, holds a significant place in history. This image is widely regarded as the first to capture people. While other photographers have contested this claim, their works, unfortunately, have not stood the test of time. Daguerre's photograph endures as a testament to early photography's challenges and achievements.
In those early days, the technology was primitive and demanding. To produce a clear and detailed image, cameras required an exposure time of four to five minutes. This long shutter speed meant that moving elements, such as bustling pedestrians, carriages, and horses, would not appear in the photograph. As a result, what was likely a busy boulevard appears hauntingly deserted. However, on closer inspection, two faint silhouettes emerge—a shoe shiner and his customer. Their relative stillness during the exposure process allowed them to leave their mark, becoming the first people ever captured in a photograph.
Interestingly, this photograph continues to spark intrigue among modern investigators. They meticulously analyze the image, searching for subtle traces of life and movement hidden in the shadows. While the shoe shiner and his customer are the most discernible figures, this historic image hints at the vibrancy of a moment frozen in time.
This groundbreaking photograph not only showcases the technical ingenuity of Louis Daguerre but also provides us with a rare glimpse into the early days of photography, cementing its place as a pivotal artifact in the evolution of visual storytelling.
Famous portrait of Albert Einstein (1951)
One of the most iconic photos in history was taken on the birthday of the renowned physicist, Albert Einstein. A grand celebration was held at Princeton University for his 72nd birthday, and numerous photographers attended the event. By the end of the evening, Einstein had grown weary of the constant camera flashes. As he was leaving, another group of reporters approached his car.
The photographers requested that Einstein smile, but according to the story, he was exhausted and not in the mood. Annoyed, he reportedly exclaimed, “Enough!” When no one heeded his request, he stuck out his tongue at the crowd and quickly turned away. Photographer Arthur Sasse was fortunate enough to capture this spontaneous reaction, and it became one of the most famous images of the scientist. Einstein was so pleased with the photograph that he asked the photo agency to print nine copies for him, which he later used as postcards.
The first photo of an Earthrise taken by man (1968)
It is now widely recognized that some of the most iconic photos of Earth from space were captured by astronaut William Anders. However, for many years, fellow crew member Frank Borman insisted that the photos were his own work.
According to Borman, while Anders did have a camera, when he first saw the Earth rising behind the Moon, he immediately suggested to Anders that he take the shot. But Anders declined, stating that it wasn’t part of the crew's plan. Borman reportedly managed to convince another astronaut to lend him a camera, and he went on to capture the famous images.
Lunch atop a Skyscraper (1932)
One of the most iconic photos in history was taken on the birthday of the renowned physicist, Albert Einstein. A grand celebration was held at Princeton University for his 72nd birthday, and numerous photographers attended the event. By the end of the evening, Einstein had grown weary of the constant camera flashes. As he was leaving, another group of reporters approached his car.
The photographers requested that Einstein smile, but according to the story, he was exhausted and not in the mood. Annoyed, he reportedly exclaimed, “Enough!” When no one heeded his request, he stuck out his tongue at the crowd and quickly turned away. Photographer Arthur Sasse was fortunate enough to capture this spontaneous reaction, and it became one of the most famous images of the scientist. Einstein was so pleased with the photograph that he asked the photo agency to print nine copies for him, which he later used as postcards.
It is now widely recognized that some of the most iconic photos of Earth from space were captured by astronaut William Anders. However, for many years, fellow crew member Frank Borman insisted that the photos were his own work.
According to Borman, while Anders did have a camera, when he first saw the Earth rising behind the Moon, he immediately suggested to Anders that he take the shot. But Anders declined, stating that it wasn’t part of the crew's plan. Borman reportedly managed to convince another astronaut to lend him a camera, and he went on to capture the famous images.
Lunch atop a Skyscraper (1932)
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