PhotoHistory XII
The 12th Triennial Symposium
on the History of Photography
took place on September 19-21, 2003
Rochester, New York
Presented by The Photographic
Historical Society
at George Eastman House International
Museum of Photography & Film
Historians, collectors, photo experts and dealers from around the world met in Rochester, NY.
The event included a tour of George Eastman’s stately 1905 mansion
and gardens, and the International Museum of Photography and Film.
This symposium, held every 3 years since
1970, brought together those who make history in the field of Photographic
History.
This was the schedule of Events for PhotoHistory XII
Friday, September 19
Registration & Reception – 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Holiday Inn Henrietta, 1111 Jefferson Road
Saturday, September 20
Symposium Lectures – 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
George Eastman House, 900 East Avenue
Sunday, September 21
Photographica Trade Show and Sale – 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Holiday Inn Henrietta, 1111 Jefferson Road 
Saturday Lectures and Topics in Alphabetical order.
Carole Glauber, Portland, OR “A Look Beyond, by Looking
Back: Photo-historians Reflect on Themselves.” 30 Photo historians from
6 countries on 3 continents responded to a query asking what influenced
or inspired them to choose their career; the results are surprising.
Larry Gubas, president of “Zeiss Historica”, Randolph, NJ “Zeiss in USA.”
An overview of the firms that comprised Carl Zeiss (founded 1846), and
the history of Zeiss following WWII to the present.
Ken Hough, Valparaiso, IN “Deardorff Cameras: Make the
Correction in the Negative.” L.F. Deardorff & Sons: History of the
company, their products, services, and their impact on photographic practice.
James S. Jensen, Evanston, IL “The Business of Photography;”
The little understood, and seldom appreciated, “business side” of the careers
of 19th century photographers, advancing the art & science of the medium
while confronting the everyday forces of survival in the commercial world.
Mike Kessler, San Juan Capistrano, CA “The Art of the Album.”
From the earliest days of photography, the presentation & protection
of photograph was just as important as the image itself. Soon elaborate
books appeared, designed to be filled with photographs alone, and the photograph
album was born.
Frank B. Mehlenbacher, Pittsford, NY “Frank A. Brownell: Inventor,
Designer and Manufacturer in the Early Eastman Kodak Era.” Principal figure
in the start of photographic manufacturing in Rochester and through the
first several decades.
Sabine Ocker, Andover, MA “The Role of the Cyanotype
in Women’s Colleges in 1890-1910:” The cyanotype was at the height of its
popularity from the mid-1880’s through 1910. The blueprint took many American
college campuses by storm, where young women would sell or trade blueprints
of favorite campus activities and events.
Tania Passafiume, Andrew W. Mellon Fellow, Conservator of Photographs,
Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL “Re-Creating Early Photographic Examples of Hippolyte
Bayard’s Three Processes at George Eastman House.” The first detailed description
of these processes, each done In-Camera, in this museum’s gardens.
David Pupo, Naples, FL “Collecting Photographic Chemical
Bottles and Containers – A Century of Progress: 1840-1940.” The chemical
bottle made photography possible all over the world. It was the one common
element in all processes, nations and eras.
Grant B. Romer, George Eastman House, Rochester, NY
“The Mirthful Mirror: Expressions of Wit and Humor in the Daguerreotype.”
Surviving examples of unconventional images illustrate that, rare through
they may be, there were many departures from what we usually accept as
a highly conventional and rigid approach in photography’s early years.
Peter and Barbara Schultz, Providence, RI “The Photographer’s
Eye: History and Guide to 19th Century Lens Makers.” The Schulzes will
explore the history of lens makers and describe the stories behind those
brass lenses found in many collections today, worldwide.
Jean Scott, Poole, Dorset, U.K. “Dagron and the Reymonds: Foremost
in Popular Micro-photography.” Recently uncovered material reveals the
immense contribution to popular microphotography of Rene Dagron and Eugene
& Roger Reymond of France. Newfound secrets of Stanhope lens manufacture
– – more than a century of popular microphotography.
Martin L. Scott, Rochester, NY “The Snow Crystal Photomicrographs
of W. A. Bentley.” Soon after the introduction of the
dry plate, a home-schooled Vermont farmer made the first successful photomicrographs
of snow crystals, thousands of them. His apparatus and working methods
will be presented.
Jonathan Spira, New York, NY “Filmless Photography.” “Filmless”
refers to the genre of electronic, non-film cameras that were first introduced,
conceptually, in 1981. We shall explore the major manufacturers, and the
exciting new technology that is revolutionizing our art and industry!
Roger Watson, Fox Talbot Museum, Lacock, Wiltshire, UK
“Lost Opportunity: The American Calotype” Exploring links
between Talbot, Edward Anthony and William Langenhiem. Consideration of
American interest (or lack thereof) in the Caloytpe process and attempts
of Anthony and Langenheim to purchase this patent from Talbot and exploit
it on the American market.
Sarah J. Weatherwax and Jennifer Ambrose, Library Company
of Philadelphia, PA “Traveling on the Nile: William Rau’s and Edward
Wilson’s Photographic Expedition to the Middle East, 1881-1882.” Philadelphia
photographer William Rau and Edward Wilson, editor of numerous photographic
publications, produced hundreds of lantern slides of people, scenery and
antiquities from this journey up the Nile and across the Arabian desert.
Featured Special Live Demonstrations
Mark Osterman and France Scully Osterman, George Eastman House, Rochester,
NY; “Wet-plate Collodion Demonstration.” See the making of an ambrotype in a 19th
century style skylight studio by two modern masters of the collodion process.
(limited to ten, admission by raffle.)
Jack and Beverly Wilgus, Baltimore, MD “The Magic Mirror
of Life: A Tent Camera Obscura.” The custom-designed Wilgus camera obscura
will return to the Eastman House Gardens. It is built with modern materials,
based on classic 19th century models. Registrants will enter and experience
the origins of the photographic camera, rediscovering a magic of earlier
times.
An Opportunity to Purchase GEH Duplicate Books!
Duplicate Book Sale: an eclectic mix, to support the museum’s Library Fund!
In the Museum Shop, on Saturday and Sunday. Not at the Trade Fair.
Sunday, September 21
Photographica Trade Show and Sale
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM 
Holiday Inn Henrietta, 1111 Jefferson Road 
Photographic equipment, images, books, ephemera, and memorabilia.
Admission is included in the registration, and is $5 for the general
public.
Accommodations
Contact the Holiday Inn Henrietta, 1111 Jefferson Road, at (585) 475-1510
for the TPHS rate of $84 per night.
Directions
George Eastman House
900 East Avenue
From the East: Take New York State Thruway to Interstate 490 (Exit 45).
Take 490 West to Exit 19 (Culver Road). Turn right at the top of the exit.
Proceed to the third traffic light (East Avenue) and turn left. George
Eastman House is a quarter of a mile, on the right side of East Avenue.
From the West: Take New York State Thruway to Interstate 490 (Exit 47-Leroy).
Take 490 east through Downtown Rochester to Exit 17 (Goodman Street). Take
a left at the top of the exit. Proceed to the fourth traffic light (East
Avenue) and turn right. George Eastman House is a quarter of a mile, on
the left side of East Avenue.
From the South (Elmira, Corning): Take Interstate 390 North to Interstate
590 North to Interstate 490 West. Take 490 West to Exit 19 (Culver Road).
Turn right at the top of the exit. Proceed to the third traffic light (East
Avenue) and turn left. George Eastman House is a quarter of a mile, on
the right side of East Avenue.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Holiday Inn South
1111 Jefferson Road
From New York State Thruway: Take New York State Thruway Exit 46 to
I-390 N to exit 14 and turn left at the light.
From the Rochester International Airport: Exit airport east onto Brooks
Ave. Take ramp right onto I-390. At I-390 Exit 14A-B, turn right onto Ramp
(RT-252 / RT-15A). Keep LEFT to stay on Ramp (RT-15A / E. Henrietta Rd).Turn
right (North) onto SR-15A [E Henrietta Rd]. Turn right into Holiday Inn
South.
The Photographic Historical Society 