Old photographers

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EARLY PHOTOGRAPHERS

Starting from 1850, a lot of photography studios were created. All have the same expertise : the portrait.

Very quickly, this kind of photo became a widely request and supplanted the traditional painted miniatures. De facto, a lot of painters have no other choice than exchange of their paintbrushes with photography cameras. In this second half of the XIX° century, they introduced themselves as "Photograph painters".

Unfortunately the competition is difficult and all the slynesses are possible in order to attract the client. Photographers do not hesitate to mention the different awards their received in agricultural shows or, more significant, the special mentions gained during renowned events such as the Paris' Exhibition.

	In 1851, the registration of copyright is created the french National Library for photographs.
	The same year, the minister of the "Instruction Publique et des Beaux-Arts", launches the heliographic mission, in charge to photograph all the french architectural patrimony. Five french photographs are designated for this mission : Baldus, Le Gray, Le Sec, Bayard and Mestral.
	In 1855, Louis Cyrus Macaire proposes the creation of a photographic department, under the control of the state ministry, with the mission to "collect all what photography has or will produce of useful or remarkable, and especially all important events, using instant processes which will capture them for an incontestable memory".
	In 1854, Disdéri has a stroke of genius when inventing the "Carte de Visite" portrait. This CDV portrait is a tremendous success which induced an incredible craze for the family photographs.

All the early XIX century photographers did not become famous like Nadar, Mayer or Henneman but all have brought their part to build our today's collective memory.

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