On my way from work, I happened upon a unique biography on a Mr. Eadweard Muybridge, a legendary photographer from the era, whom I had only a passing knowledge about. He was perhaps best known for his sequential images of motion, with his most famous being that of a horse galloping. So innovative at the time, it was thought that he had doctored the photographs, because a horse could in no way have “all four feet off the ground – if so, the human eye would have seen it happen”! However, it was true – and he proved it on his invention, the Zoopraxiscope!
“Valley of Yosemite”, by Eadweard Muybridge, 1872Additionally, he was a pioneer at taking photographs of nature, showing the beauty of the wild to the masses who may have never known such breathtaking place existed in the United States. So influential were his images, they are said to have been of direct inspiration to the legendary American photographer, Ansel Adams.
Photograph of Eadweard MuybridgeNot only an inventor and artist, but he led a very colorful life – including how he dealt with the man having an affair with is young wife (hint: he was acquitted)! Do take a moment to listen to the bio presented by NPR, but also take a bit to learn about a gentleman who most certainly belongs in the pantheon of Steampunk Notables!
For more information regarding Mr. Muybridge, please visit the biograph on him, at:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=125899013
And the following websites…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eadweard_Muybridge
http://americanhistory.si.edu/muybridge/
http://www.masters-of-photography.com/M/muybridge/muybridge_articles1.html
http://www.tfaoi.com/aa/4aa/4aa177.htm
