Early History

of

Photography in Edinburgh

Talbot ©

In 1839 Talbot in England and Daguerre in France announced their discoveries of photography.

Edinburgh citizens took an immediate interest.  In 1839:
- Edinburgh's Learned Societies discussed photography,
- James Howie held a daguerreotype exhibition in Princes St.

From 1843 until 1847, Hill & Adamson produced several thousand calotype photos from their studio at Rock House , Calton Hill, Edinburgh.  Several Exhibitions will be held in 2002 to celebrate the bi-centenary of Hill's birth.

Princes Street, Edinburgh ©

During the 1840s, professional photographers including Davidson , Howie , Popowitz , Ross , Thomson and others established studios in Princes Street .

They were able to carry out their business  free from the calotype and daguerreotype patents that applied in England and Wales.

From the early 1850s, a few Photographic Societies began to be established throughout Britain, including:
-  in 1856:  The Photographic Society of Scotland ( PSS )
-  in 1861:  Edinburgh Photographic Society ( EPS ) which still exists .

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