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The Autochrome Era

Paris 1907 - the debut of Lumiere brothers' invention of the Autochrome in Lyon France ushered in an era, not only the birth of color photography, but color as luminous as the camera has ever captured it. And strangely, we owe it's beauty to the humble potato. Microscopically ground potato starch with added color emulsions in perfect proportion made it possible.

Unlike other photo processes, the autochrome's organic composition forbade any manipulation or alteration. Each one an individual work of art. They are extremely sensitive and fragile. Precious few of these images have survived the ravages of time.

Unfortunately, the Autochrome Era did not last long, ending in the early 1930's. The process was intricate and expensive, with preservation also being a challenge. No matter their beauty, the fast paced 20'th century had little time for delicate and difficult to display artworks.

Chronology

Black & White

1800's - Present

Autochrome

1907 - early 1930's

Color Film

1950's - Present

Digital

1990's - Present

Recently there has been a revival of interest in the beauty of the Autochrome. Perhaps it is the computer age which prompts us to reflect on other times of visionary awakening. Today, in our media saturated world, these rare photographs take on a new significance. They suggest a quality of life that many of us would now embrace.