The Time Machine Under Our Noses
Photography, the art of capturing images using light-sensitive materials, has a rich and fascinating history that spans over two centuries. One of the earliest forms of photography, the Daguerreotype, was famously used in 1838 by French artist Louis Daguerre in what is thought to be the first photograph to include people. It was an image of The Boulevard du Temple, a busy street in Paris, taken by Daguerre himself. This photograph, known as the first successful photograph of a person, shows a man having his shoes shined on the street. Unfortunately because Daguerre’s photography process took several minutes, anything moving became invisible or blurred and this is why none of the traffic can be seen.
Since its inception, photography has come a long way, with numerous innovations and advances being made in the field. Today, photography is an integral part of our daily lives, with billions of photographs being taken every day on phones, digital cameras, and other devices.
As we celebrate 184 years of photography, it's interesting to consider the historical figures we might have been able to photograph if this art form had been around for 184 years more. We might have been able to capture images of Oliver Cromwell and Sir Isaac Newton. In fact we might have even caught a snap of William Shakespeare (actually, I think we would have just missed him by about 30 years but it’s a mad thought!).
Regardless of when it was invented, however, it's undeniable that photography has had a profound impact on the way we document and remember the past. From capturing images of historical events and documenting the lives of famous figures, to preserving memories of our own lives and the people we love, photography has a special place in our hearts and in our history.
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To pay homage to this incredible image which signalled the beginning of a revolution in our ability to capture images of our past and present, I asked my daughter to build her version of Louis Daguerre’s iconic image in Lego? and I present it to you now:
Boulevard Du Bricks (2023)
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