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BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Traditional Film Photography

Photography Question 

Clair Dunn 		 

Niagara Falls - c. 1860-1910


 
  Niagara Falls -- history of photography
Niagara Falls -- history of photography
early photograph, likely by someone known in the history of American photography.

Clair Dunn

  
 
I have this print -- an original -- and I've been trying to identify the photographer. It *might* be George Barker, but I'm inclined to think otherwise--because: several years ago as I was passing through the living room and the TV was on, I caught a flash of EXACTLY this kind of image -- intense black small people against the falls, thought not this exact dispostiong. And I think they were talking about a black, as in African American photographer. I've never been able to find any reference. I've looked at a gazillion thumbs of Niagara with no luck.

Hoping one of the folks here can help.

Thanks much.

Clair


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October 27, 2007

 

Christopher A. Walrath 		  Now, I've never been there (not Niagra, the place I'm about to mention) but the formation on the left looks more like mineral deposits than ice, which would stnd to reason that the people are standing on sand, not snow. Could this be Yellowstone, like Mammoth Hot Springs or something else?


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October 27, 2007

 

Brenda D. 		  Clair, You might try asking someone at your local college in the history dept. or if they offer a photography class, ask them if they can find any info for you. If all else fails try PBS.org then antiques road show .


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October 27, 2007

 

Christopher A. Walrath 		  And I stand corrected. I found this image after about 30 seconds of searching but to no avail as far as ID goes. No by line or such, just the picture. This one might take dumb luck, but just a bit dumber than mine.


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October 27, 2007

 

Clair Dunn 		  Christopher, Brenda --
No, it is definitely Niagra -- and the "mineral deposits" are ice. And the Niagara historical society has a great collection online, and some are close to this, but no cigar--I've also used google images with the keyword Niagra Falls alone and with Barker, still nothing.

Will just have to make this a hobby. And, BTW the first time I saw Niagra it was in a very cold February back in the '60s. Incredibly impressive it was.

Christopher -- if you found this "exact" photo --- what was the link??

Thanks,
Clair


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October 28, 2007

 

Brenda D. 		  Clair, I did a search for Niagara Falls frozen, and got this site
urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_niagara_falls_. it has a ton of photos that look like yours only from a different angle. hope this helps in your search.


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October 28, 2007

 

Clair Dunn 		  Brenda --
Thanks so much -- yes -- that is the exact same image, and image of this one does appear to be a scan. Mine however is not a scan of anything. It's the real McCoy with all the glorious silver shining in the black.

I think I'll try to figure out how to write to them and ask for more information. Interestingly, only one of the photos in that set turned up in my search of google images.
Thanks so much! - But at least it clearly shows that mine is part of a set which is indeed what I thought when I started out to find out about this.


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October 28, 2007

 

Christopher A. Walrath 		  http://photoshoptechniques.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20856 Might help. Hope it does.


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October 28, 2007

 

Brenda D. 		  Clair, I'm so glad that site was helpful. How lucky you are to have an original print like that.Theres just something about those old photos that have a certian appeal to me.I have managed to inheirate a small collection of them from grandmas and great grandmasand to me they are a treasure:)


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October 29, 2007

 

Clair Dunn 		  Christopher -- Brenda
Thanks -- spot on that one is. So I put a question in there as to who the photographer might have been -- and anyway, I liked the forum for PS stuff as well -- so double thanks.


Well -- this has been a great exercise in trying to find info on the web -- I must say, I did get "google-eyed" going through google looking at images of Niagra -- some were really fantastic, and the ordinary snapshots made me wonder how many gazillion shots like that there are in the world!

Thanks all -- again, and very much.


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October 29, 2007

 
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