1882 Étienne -Jules Marey – Birds

Marey’s chronophotography captured movement's essence, revolutionizing photography and setting the foundation for cinematography, influencing both artistic expression and scientific analysis.

Étienne-Jules Marey’s chronophotography marked a transformative moment in the history of photography by introducing the ability to capture multiple phases of movement within a single exposure. This breakthrough diverged sharply from the era’s standard single-shot photography, enabling the visualization of motion and setting the stage for modern cinematography.

Marey's technique uniquely depicted the fluid dynamics of birds in flight, offering unprecedented insights into biomechanics and aerodynamic studies. With his chronophotographic gun, Marey captured up to twelve frames per second on a single glass plate using a rotating disk shutter—a pivotal innovation in high-speed photography. This method allowed for the detailed analysis of complex movements, influencing future technological advances in both film and digital imaging.

His work bridged art and science, inspiring artists to explore motion in new ways and providing scientists with valuable data. His contributions significantly altered the landscape of both disciplines, underlining photography’s potential as a multifaceted tool for artistic expression and scientific exploration.

Credit: Étienne-Jules Marey, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Author: Étienne-Jules Marey
Title: Unknown
Date: circa 1882
Archive: Unknown
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Original file: 1583 x 785 pixels, file size: 382 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg
Available information: A photo of flying pelican taken by Étienne-Jules Marey