Pre-WW1 American Photography

This group is for pre-1914 landscapes, no portraits and no stereo views.

At the end of the Civil War, there were 6,000 photographers in the US, and almost all of those were doing portraits. If one is to believe estimates, by 1900 there were fewer than 10,000 photographers taking photographs of social commentary, landscapes, and architecture, then it is imperative to have such a group at FAA.

Photography was introduced to the US in 1839, and became popular almost immediately. Technology was primitive and all photographs used box and bellows cameras and 'SLR' Graflexes to put an image in metal, glass, or after 1900, film. Popular glass plate sizes were 4x5', 5x7' 8x10' and larger. All photographs were black and white, There was no digital and no color film. Also no FedEx, no phones, few cars, no paved roads, no TV, no radio, no fast food stores, no malls and everybody was just as busy with their lives as we are today.

It cost about $10 in today's money to take a picture on metal or glass.

This group does not currently have any featured artwork.   Click here to view all of the group images.

This group was started on October 20th, 2012.