"What Photographs Look Like," a current exhibit at the Princeton Art Museum, is a great snapshot in itself of the history of taking pictures and developing them.
Consisting of about 50 photographs, the exhibit demonstrates a variety of printmaking processes from 1839 to the present-day. The subject of the pictures is varied — there are landscapes, famous buildings, portraits and even political statements expressed through the medium of photography.
Two cases in the center of the gallery exhibit the early methods of making pictures from the hand-colored daguerreotype used to record important events in the mid 1800s to evolving techniques of the 20th century, including photomechanical reproduction.
On the gallery walls from left to right, prints show the evolution of photography starting with a print from 1844.
Emulsions and negative prints follow the early pictures, as photographers begin to experiment with development processes.
The emulsions are particularly interesting because those photographs could not capture tones representing the sky so artists had to hand-paint the prints themselves to provide a silhouette for the subject.
Because early photos were usually touched up with paint, several pictures in the gallery seem to straddle the reality of a photo and the perception of a painting, as in Henry Peach Robinson's 1877 print, "When the Day's Work is Done."
Though all but a few of the photos are in black and white, the prints can still capture an amazing sense of light and dark.
One to note is Minor White's, "Cobblestone House," near the center of the back wall.
Another interesting set of prints is by Gertrude Kasebier, who is well known for her portraiture.
In the exhibit, two copies of her print, "The Road to Rome," are on exhibit, but each was processed differently, showing the variations in developing methods and their effects.
Moving around to the right of the room, the exhibit concludes with works processed from contemporary Polaroid material and digitally generated negatives, some colored by a dye transfer process.
Patrick Naganti's piece entitled, "Trinitite, Ground Zero, Trinity Site, New Mexico," is a good example of a modern print for its color and the process used in its development.
Looking over the whole exhibit, one can glean the advancement of technology in taking and developing pictures and the changing place of photography in our culture.
Held in conjunction with ART 248: "The History of Photography," taught by art and archaeology professor Peter Bunnell, the exhibit will be open until Nov. 11.
Other exhibitions currently running at the Art Museum are "Camera Women," which runs through Jan. 6, "Empire Stone: Roman Sculpture in The Art Museum" through Jan. 20 and "Pliny's Cup: Roman Silver in the Age of Augustus," also through Jan. 20.
"Camera Women" spotlights female photographers while "Empire Stone" and "Pliny's Case" showcase the Art Museum's Roman sculpture and metalwork.
Read More
Princeton Zoning Board of Adjustment approves renovations to Tower and Charter Clubs
Sena Chang and Isaac BernsteinOn March 27, the Municipality of Princeton’s Zoning Board of Adjustment approved construction developments for Tower Club and Charter Club. Renovations for both clubs are aimed towards improving accessibility.
On March 27, the Municipality of Princeton’s Zoning Board of Adjustment approved construction developments for Tower Club and Charter Club. Renovations for both clubs are aimed towards improving accessibility.
Students support local businesses with new platform Zage
Jack AllenAfter hearing about the struggles faced by a number of these restaurants after students left campus in mid-March, Dilbagi created Zage, an online platform that allows community members to send money to local businesses now to redeem as credits on their purchases in the future.
This fall, go beyond the 'Bubble'
Dora ZhaoEven though classes are picking up, weekends are the perfect time for students to escape the Orange Bubble. While going out to eat on Nassau is enjoyable, there is so much to see beyond Princeton. For those looking for a day trip or a chance to explore the area outside of Princeton, here is a list of ideas to do this fall.