William Henry Fox-Talbot

[Kenneth Walker]

.......was one of those wealthy country gentlemen with lots of time on his hands, who liked to dabble in a variety of pursuits. I visited his one time home; Lacock Abbey yesterday. I had completely forgotten about his connection with the house, and his place in the history of photography. In 1835 he photographed (he called it a photogenic drawing) an oriol window in the south gallery....I didn't recognise it until I looked at it for a minute or two. He kept quiet about the achievement, but a few years later the French announced the triumph of monsieur Daguerre who is now as a consequence more famous.

Here's the very quick shot I took of THE window.

 

[Kenneth Walker]

And here is his image

 

[Designer]

Excellent post! Thank you!

 

[Kenneth Walker]

I don't think I suggested anywhere that their methods were the same...but thanks for the comment and link.

 

[vintagesnaps]

I think you're right, that their discoveries were happening around the same time even though the processes were different.

Interesting to see the photo you took there.

 

[Kenneth Walker]

Thanks, vintagesnaps...the National Trust volunteer in that room laughed when she saw me with my camera, claiming it to be the most photographed window in the world. You can probably tell that I've mucked about a bit with selections and levels in Photoshop.