Could a seamless 20×144-inch panoramic photograph have been made in the late 1800s or early 1900s?
Asked 4/4/2016
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I’m looking at a panoramic photograph of redwood trees that measures about 20 inches high by 144 inches long, printed as one continuous piece with no seams. The subject appears to date from the late 1800s or very early 1900s. Would a photograph of that size and format have been technically possible then, and what kinds of photographers or studios might have produced something like it?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
10y ago
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Photography was born in 1827. Soon photo engineering was advancing at a rapid pace. In 1890, the Cyclographe a foyer variable was marketed by J. Damoizeau of Paris. This camera has a spring motor that rotates the camera. The result was a panoramic view 360⁰. The camera could be stopped in its rotation making the view any desired angle. What followed was a parade many different camera designs that recorded on film a panoramic view. I have a print, similar, taken at the Port of New York, my father’s regiment, the 42nd Rainbow, embarking for France in World War 1. Modern Panoramic cameras continued in production to the present era.
Originally by user44949. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user44949
10y ago
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Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes. A seamless panoramic photograph of that size was technically possible in the late 1800s or early 1900s.
By that period, panoramic cameras already existed, including rotating designs that exposed a wide image across a long strip of film. Panoramic photography developed quickly in the late 19th century, and very wide views were being made well before World War I.
Printing was also feasible: photographic paper was available in rolls, so a long continuous print did not have to be assembled from separate sheets. Large prints could be processed by hand using sponges or similar wet-darkroom methods.
A redwood subject is especially plausible because panoramic formats were often used for landscapes and other scenes where a very wide field of view was desirable.
As for who produced it, the most likely possibilities are a commercial photographic studio, a specialist panoramic photographer, or an advanced amateur with access to the right equipment and materials. Based on the information here, it’s not possible to identify a specific maker, but the size and seamless format alone do not rule out that era.
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