An Abbreviated History of Night Photography (CC)

The oldest existing photograph was made in France in 1826 with an exposure of over 8 hours. It wasn’t a night photograph, but the materials used had such limited sensitivity to light that it took all day to burn the image onto the pewter plate. Another 50 years would pass before night photography would become practical, and even then it was still extremely difficult.

Nighttime has been associated with solitude, danger, mystery and the unknown throughout human history, and the night motif was established in Western art long before the advent of photography. It’s no surprise that early photographers pushed the limits of their equipment and materials to express these themes and to make images in the dark.

In this talk, Lance Keimig will present an overview of the history of night photography from daguerreotype to digital, with an emphasis on lesser-known artists who made significant contributions to the genre. An appreciation of the work of those who came before us can lead to new insights and understanding in our own photography. Lance will share some of his favorite historical images and stories of their makers with you in this informative presentation.