ZERO BASELINE OF PHOTOGRAPHY
The Zero Baseline of Photography establishes a collection of first photographs for engagement and collaborative cyclical research. The aim is to preserve, provide and distribute curated photographic evidence of the origins and development of scientific and artistic photography as a source of information, education, and inspiration to promote critical thinking and a deeper appreciation of photography for generations of today and tomorrow.
Looking Ahead with Curiosity and Creativity
As we approach the 200th anniversary of photography, the Zero Baseline of Photography stands as a beacon for both reflection and innovation. It challenges educators, curators, artists, and enthusiasts to engage with photography's past with fresh eyes and open minds.
This initiative not only aims to curate a definitive collection of first photographs but also to foster an experiential research environment where the future of photography's past is continuously re-imagined and reshaped.
The Zero Baseline of Photography is a dialogue that transcends time and space, inviting us all to contribute to the ever-evolving story of photography. A story that is as much about where we have been as it is about where we are going.
FIRST PHOTOGRAPHS
First photographs provide an investigation into singular moments within the evolution of scientific and artistic photography. They reflect pivotal technical and artistic innovation within the development and influence the way we understand photography today.
Photography, at its core, can be considered an alchemy of art and science. It captures transient moments that, once passed, remain only in memory and image. The Zero Baseline of Photography challenges us to experience these captured moments not merely as historical artifacts but as dialogues between the observer and the observed. Behind every film and photograph seen today, there is a first photograph that initially uncovered something new. From the first permanent photograph by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce in 1827 to the revolutionary first image of a black hole in 2019, each first photograph serves as a representative of photography's evolving narrative.
Following parameters identify first photographs in the Zero Baseline of Photography:
Verified as authentic photograph, based on truth, not falsified
Using photographic techniques
Produced within a scientific or artistic context
Unique example of its kind or a known technical first
OVERVIEW OF FIRST PHOTOGRAPHS
INDEX OF FIRST PHOTOGRAPHS
2019 the First Image of a Black Hole
2015 Light as wave and particle
2014 CERN, Pcharito-Alicelead3
2012 Ramesh Raskar MIT
1995 Robert Williams and the Hubble Deep Field
1981 CERN Streamer Chamber
1973 Bubble Chamber-CERN-EX-23296
1968 William A. Anders – Earthrise
1964 Harold Eugene Edgerton – Bullet through apple
1935 Man Ray – Space Writing (Self-Portrait)
1932 Carl D. Anderson – Cloud Chamber First Positron
1908 Julius Neubronner – Aerial photograph from a homing pigeon
1900 Étienne-Jules Marey – Air movement in a collision with objects of different shapes
1895 Röntgen – First X-ray
1889 Étienne-Jules Marey and George Demeny
1888 Ernst Mach – Brass bullet
1887 Muybridge – Animal Locomotion. Plate 762
1886 Becquerel – discovery of radiation
1882 William Jennings – Lightning
1882 Étienne-Jules Marey – Birds
1878 Muybridge – The Horse in Motion
1851 Julius Berkowski – Solar eclipse
1845 Louis Fizeau – First sun photo
1840 John Draper – Earliest image of the moon
1835 William Henry Fox Talbot – First Negative
1827 Joseph Nicéphore Niépce – First permanent photograph
FIRST PHOTOGRAPH CANDIDATES
The SEETHINK Lab is currently calling for first photograph candidates and contextual documentation in the areas of scientific and artistic photography from the last two centuries. If you have a candidate to submit please use this form: Submit candidates. For related articles or stories about any of the candidates please use this form: Submit contextual documentation. All submission information is used for research purposes only. Your privacy is respected.