Photo Technology

Anyone who owns a cell phone today also has a camera. The result: We are inundated with an overwhelming flood of images. And yet, time and again, there are photos that capture the world’s attention. Our permanent exhibition on photographic technology shows how, for nearly 200 years, the art of photography has managed to capture the fascination of the moment. One area is the history of photography, from heliography to 3D photography using concave mirror projection. Photographic practice is the second major theme, ranging from personal portraits and advertising photography to war and espionage photography.

Early photography was a complicated process: In order to present a photograph to an amazed audience, the image ultimately had to be fixed onto a support medium. These so-called imaging processes required specialized knowledge, chemicals, and elaborate equipment. With development processes such as the daguerreotype or the wet collodion process, photographers had to contend with toxic fumes or fragile glass plates. This was brought to an end by George Eastman, who began producing rolls of photographic paper capable of holding 24 exposures in the United States in 1885.

Just three years later, Eastman introduced the first Kodak box camera. Now anyone could take pictures: All you had to do was press the shutter button, and after 24 shots, you sent the box camera to the Eastman factory to be developed. It was simple, but expensive—each camera cost $25. That’s why Eastman developed the “Brownie” camera, which sold for $1. The first camera for the masses was on the market.

In the age of digital photography, storing photos is no longer a technical problem, and storage space is available at virtually no cost. Good old analog 35mm negative film has become a relic for enthusiasts.

The inventive minds behind photography have always been searching for ways to take better — and ideally, perfect — photos. The exhibition traces advancements in technology and design: How did the Leica become the model for all 35mm cameras, and why did innovations in SLR cameras come primarily from Germany for decades? The fact that photographers’ ingenuity knows no bounds when it comes to improving shooting conditions is also evident in niche areas such as artificial lighting — whether through pyrotechnic powder flashes or electronic spark discharges, technological advances have shed light on the darkness.

Ever since photography was invented, there has been debate about the authenticity of what is depicted. Because digital photography is part of everyday life and it’s so easy to edit photos on your own cell phone, this discussion is more important than ever. At an interactive morphing station, you can try your hand at image manipulation.