Herschel, Talbot and Photography: Spring 1831 and Spring 1839

Abstract

The rich, productive, and enthusiastic interaction between Henry Talbot and John Herschel is a fascinating microcosm of early photographic research. An isolated experiment, shared by them in 1831, is a typical example of the tantalizing near-misses that pervade the chronicles of the pre-history of photography. Their correspondence in early 1839, before Herschel saw Daguerre's then superior productions, is a window for us today to learn from the initial thoughts of the excited pioneers. We face contemporary reports of discovery and hope, unedited and unrefined by the influence of time and later events.

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