Detailed Information on Publication Record

A photography publication Watch the Birdie! with a subtitle The Eldest Photography Studios in Opava 1860–1948 tries to restore regional studio portraits, which are a common result of a photography business and a beloved memorial medium. The publication contains wide range of period pictures including stylized marks of different studios existing in the area between the years 1860–1948. Contributions by a historian Jaromíra Knapíková describe specific photography studios in Opava, their evolution, owners, particularities, location within the city etc. A visual sociologist Jiří Siostrzonek examines mainly the social aspect of this topic. His analysis highlights fascinating characteristics of photography by different generations. Ondřej Durczak observes period technical means and technologies including special headsets, photography corrections, unusual decorations or an essential invention of this time – Petzval lens. Visiting cards (carte-de-visite) became a key source for a visual part of the book. They represent the most common technique and format of studio portraits and contributed vastly to its distribution amongst the general public. To have a portrait made meant to experience an important social and familial ritual, which resulted in a visual testimony. Studio portraits of regular citizens came to its existence mostly mechanically and to a photographer they mean a monotonous work. A display of authors personality was limited to the perfectly managed craft itself, liberty in stylization of the scene, choosing of fitting props and of a background. Despite the lack of demanded creativity visiting cards do have its place in photography history due to their role for portrait distribution, discovering and perfecting of photography techniques and technologies. They are also very important as a historical and iconographic material.