A presentation on the state-of-the-art of photography, circa 1885

Followed by the art of building steampunk cameras that take real photos.

We'll begin with the basics of early camera operation and continue to advances in the art Wet Plate to Dry Plate to Film. The Daguerreotype process, the impact of developer on films speed. The first selfie. Lighting, from lime lights to flash powder and magnesium ribbon.

With occasional anecdotes, such as the transition for two horse to one, an improvement allowed by using dry plates, what made smiling for the camera possible and a photographer’s lament: Seeing through the lens when the subject sees the lens and not the photographer.

Alongside photography,We'll discuss other technological marvels: The Transcontinental Railroad, gas and then electric lighting.

Finally, after the “present day” part of the presentation is over, We'll lean about building wooden camera cases that allow modern digital cameras to be disguised as the box cameras of the 1980s, complete with squeeze-bulb shutter releases.