You Be the Detective
Because no trace of Muybridge’s negatives remains, the cyanotypes constitute the only evidence we have of what he originally photographed. The differences between the cyanotypes and the final prints published as Animal Locomotion warn us that seeing should not always mean believing.
What do you see?
In the cyanotypes (below, left), frames 5 and 9 of the laterals have been marked for omission from the final collotype (below, right).
In the cyanotypes (below, left), the camera shutter appears to have closed later than intended for one frame of the front view. Frames 10–12 are not used in the final print. A project assistant, standing in the background, has been cropped out of the final print. Click on either image for a closer view of this comparison.
Only five lateral views are included with the cyanotypes, yet nine appear in the final print—possibly some retakes were used. Muybridge didn’t use front and rear foreshortenings 10–12. A University of Pennsylvania building, probably the Veterinary Department, an assistant, and props are all visible in this unique view of Muybridge’s track. In the rear foreshortenings you can see through the grid clearly to a wooden step behind. Click on either image for a closer view of this comparison.
In the cyanotypes, frame 3 of the rear foreshortenings is blank and crossed out, indicating a camera problem. The remaining eleven frames have been reassembled and renumbered in the final print.
Two sets of cyanotypes are incorporated into the final print. In one set, a pigeon interrupts Dr. Shell's action. In the other, there are camera problems with frames 11 and 12 of the front foreshortenings. Muybridge chose to print only the laterals and the rear foreshortenings in the final collotype.
Two sets of cyanotypes (above) are incorporated into the final print (below). In one set, a pigeon interrupts Dr. Shell's action. In the other, there are camera problems with frames 11 and 12 of the front foreshortenings. Muybridge chose to print only the laterals and the rear foreshortenings in the final collotype.
Two final prints are created from one set of cyanotypes. The lateral views are larger than the front and rear foreshortenings. Why are the blacksmiths undressed?
