Timothy O'Sullivan's 1871-74 photos of the West: These remarkable 19th century sepia-tinted pictures show the American West as it was charted for the first time. The photos were taken...

liebgard

These remarkable 19th century sepia-tinted pictures show the American West as it was charted for the first time.
The photos were taken by photographer Timothy O'Sullivan during Lt. George M. Wheeler's survey west of the One Hundredth Meridian --- 1871 to 1874.
They are the first ever taken of the rocky and barren landscape.
At the time federal government officials were traveling across Arizona, Nevada, Utah and the rest of the west as they sought to uncover the land's untapped natural resources.
http://tinyurl.com/6mz3dm2

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

Thanks for bringing this to our attention.
Very interesting and impressive images.

Just lugging around the camera of the day 140 years ago and keeping those glass plates from breaking as your mule navigated the unchartered terrain,
. . . . . . .makes hiding in your heated SUV with a window mounted DSLR with auto everything
. . . . . . . . and a remote shutter, listening to the ballgame with a cup of hot coffee while trying to take a picture of some bird
. . . . . . . . . . . seem oh so lazy, lame and easy.
Those pioneering western photographers were men of a dying breed! We are very spoiled!!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Interesting comments after the pictures.

liebgard

Festina Lente wrote:

Those pioneering western photographers were men of a dying breed! We are very spoiled!!

Yes, For quite some time I have admired those explorer/photographers and also the ones that climb to extremes to get the shot.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Interesting that each of the prints was made in 1909 or thereafter inasmuch as the copyright symbol used was created by The Copyright Act of 1909. From 1874 to 1909, images had to read "Copyright ____ (year) by ____ (artist's name or initials).

Trippmeister Loc: Los Gatos, CA

Thanks so much, these are really great. What would he think of our modern DSLR's?

mikeysaling Loc: essex uk

Sometimes its a struggle to take along a laptop - never mind a darkroom !!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Trippmeister wrote:

Thanks so much, these are really great. What would he think of our modern DSLR's?

He would have a post here asking what he should get. And someone would ask him what kind of shooting he planned to do. And someone else would ask him what his current camera can't do that makes him want a new one. And someone else would ask how much he wanted to spend. And someone else ... :D

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

jerryc41 wrote:

Trippmeister wrote:

Thanks so much, these are really great. What would he think of our modern DSLR's?

He would have a post here asking what he should get. And someone would ask him what kind of shooting he planned to do. And someone else would ask him what his current camera can't do that makes him want a new one. And someone else would ask how much he wanted to spend. And someone else ... :D

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
You need to get out more Jerry! It is clear you are spending way too much time on UHH! :-D

Bill MN Loc: Western MN

jerryc41 wrote:

Trippmeister wrote:

Thanks so much, these are really great. What would he think of our modern DSLR's?

He would have a post here asking what he should get. And someone would ask him what kind of shooting he planned to do. And someone else would ask him what his current camera can't do that makes him want a new one. And someone else would ask how much he wanted to spend. And someone else ... :D

................would ask which camera takes the best pictures and which one is best for me.................and Timothy O'Sullivan would ask why are people "in hiding"

thehing Loc: Mississauga Ontario Canada

jerryc41 wrote:

Interesting comments after the pictures.

It's funny how almost every comment section eventually turns into a pissing match. I don't see how anyone could see the American Revolution and the Stamp Act from those beautiful pictures. I guess it will eventually get to Hitler and the Muslims.

All I saw were some great pictures form a very determined photographer. Thanks for posting the link.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Festina Lente wrote:

quote=jerryc41 quote=Trippmeister Thanks so much... (show quote)

Too true! When I see the avatar, I know what kind of response to expect. It's still pouring here, so this will be another inside day. I just hope I can avoid painting the ceilings. My wife is watching the Olympics, so maybe she'll forget. ;)

Audwulf Loc: Golden State

Liebgard, thanks much.

liebgard

jerryc41 wrote:

It's still pouring here, so this will be another inside day.

what's wrong with putting on raingear and going out there?

liebgard

Audwulf wrote:

Liebgard, thanks much.

welcome