Re: First Photographic Emulsions Exposure Time?

[Andrew Davidhazy <andpph@xxxxxxx>]

Kostas,

I'd opine that the exposure times would have to be quite a bit longer than 2 seconds for pedestrian traffic and bystanders to "disappear"  from an exposure. I'd probably go for a minute or three or more. Anyone who is loitering (such as the shoeshine scene in a "famous" photograph pretty much devoid of anything that moved - or a scene in Grand Central Station where again there is little evidence of human presence) will of course still be visible albeit maybe a bit blurry - nless it is a sleeting individual. :) just my opinion ... to get such long exposure times at relatively high sensor speeds you'd probably use neutral density filters ... or maybe a couple of stacked  partially crossed polarizers .

Andy

On Aug 26, 2011, at 4:06 PM, Kostas Papakotas wrote:

Hi all! I need some help with this.

What were the average exposure time of the first photographic emulsions?

 

Few days ago I noticed something interesting in the “Genious of Photography” documentary.

The said emulsions exposure time was so long that people on the streets barely registered on the film, if they did at all.

I plan on duplicating it with modern means but I need a reference point. I guessimate 2 minutes? Or is this too long?

 

BTW let’s assume that lighting conditions are late afternoon of a sunny day.

 

Thanks beforehand, Kostas

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