The Business of Photography: the 19th Century Studio

Abstract

In the 19th century photographs were predominantly the work of photographic studios. These businesses ranged from single person to complex operations. The output of the studio was credited to the studio name: only rarely are individual photographers (operators) known. Much of the history of photography is to be found in studio photography, yet the commercial nature of 19th century photography is rarely a focus of study. This exhibition forefronts the business and commerce of photography over the ‘artist photographer’. Here, the lens is turned back to the studio photographers – who were they? It is rare they took their own portraits; rare to leave business records; rare to have images of them at work – however from their works, their marketing and newspaper and other reports, we can explore the 19th century studio. The golden age of the studio lasted until the early 20th century, when the impact of the Kodak camera and the growth of the home amateur photographer brought its demise. This exhibition brings to public attention, and showcases, the Chau Chak Wing Museum’s historic photograph collection in a variety of formats.