AllMovie

The Camera: Early Photography and Moving Pictures series tracks the development of photography as an art form. Volumes one through seven examine the evolution of the tool, while volumes eight through ten focus on the technological contributions leading to modern filmmaking. This volume features two segments. "First Impressions" relates the story of the creation of still photography and the men who invented the early process, including Fox Talbot and Louis Daguerre. Segment two, "Eyewitness of War," looks at the first uses of the camera on the battlefield. Highlights include Roger Fenton's work in the Crimea, coverage of the U.S. Civil War, and remarkable photos from the Franco-Prussian and Sino-Russian wars. These documentary works recapture the wonder people experienced at seeing the world's first still images.