Photography in Australia
The first photograph taken in Australia, a view of Bridge Street (now lost) is believed to have been taken by a visiting naval captain, Captain Augustin Lucas (1804-1854) in 1841, as indicated by a note published in the Australasian Chronicle for 13 April of that year. Lucas arrived in Sydney aboard the Justine, captained by his younger brother Francois Lucas.[1]
The earliest known surviving photograph taken in Australia, is believed to be a daguerreotype portrait of Dr William Bland by George Baron Goodman.[2] This portrait is likely to be the one mentioned in the Sydney Morning Herald, 14 January 1845.[3]
The oldest camera store in Australia is Thorton Richards Camera House which opened in 1872 in Ballarat. It is owned and run by siblings Gerrard and Sue Lewis. [4]
Modern photography
In the mid-20th century, the photographic scene in Australia was shaped by modernist influences from abroad. This period saw an influx of people from Europe, including Wolfgang Sievers, Helmut Newton and Henry Talbot.
They settled in Melbourne, bringing with them a modern aesthetic and new skills from their training at influential schools such as Berlin’s Reimann School and Contempora School of Applied Arts. A vibrant and creative culture emerged with many photographers establishing commercial studios around the thriving arts precinct in Collins Street.
After the war, Wolfgang Sievers and Helmut Newton set up studios in Collins Street and Flinders Lane respectively. Other influential photographers such as Athol Shmith and Norman Ikin set up studios nearby.[5]
Contemporary photography industry in Australia is highly competitive, consisting of about 350-500 small businesses in every major city.[6]
References
- ↑ Marshall, Peter (2006). "The first photograph". Early Photography in Australia. About.com (part of The New York Times). Retrieved 2006-12-13.
- ↑ "Daguerreotype Portrait of Dr William Bland c.1845". Treasures from the World's Great Libraries. National Library of Australia. 2001. Retrieved 2006-12-18.
- ↑ "William Bland - full record". PICMAN database. State Library of New South Wales. Retrieved 2006-12-18.
- ↑ http://www.camerahouse.com.au/our-stores/vic/ballarat.aspx
- ↑ "Melbourne post-war photography". State Library of Victoria. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ↑ "Photographer Businesses". Cylex directory. 2011. Retrieved 2011-02-14.
External links
- National Film and Sound Archive, Australia
- Tyrrell Photographic Collection, Powerhouse Museum
- Photographic Collection, State Library of New South Wales
- National Library of Australia- Pictures
- National Gallery of Australia Photography
- Melbourne post-war photography State Library of Victoria, Australia
- Australian Institute of Professional Photography
- Australian Photographic Society
- Australian Photographic Association
- Australian Centre for Photography
- Shades of Light (Australian Photography 1839 - 1988) the online version of the original Shades of Light published 1998, Gael Newton, National Gallery of Australia.
- Online portal to information on Australian photographers
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