The Franklin Institute
Franklin Institute Online: Motion Photography
Learn about the history of motion in photography. Eadweard Muybridge was very interested in photography and "had nothing to do but try" motion photography. Read his story here. Included are resources for the teacher and activities for...
Other
Media History Digital Library: Technical Journals Collection (1916 1965)
A large collection of original journals that focus on the technology behind motion pictures, covering cinematography, photography, projection engineering, etc.
US National Archives
Nara: Picturing the Century: 100 Years of Photography
From the National Archives and Records Administration, this online exhibit has galleries of photographs separated by time period showing a history of the United States.
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Learning Lab: Every Picture Has a Story
Smithsonian Education presents "Every Picture Has a Story". Teachers can download this comprehensive teaching package in which students examine some of the millions of photographs in the Smithsonian. This amazing teaching package comes...
New York Times
New York Times: An in Depth History of Group F.64
This article is based on a book by Mary Street Alinder, who had worked with Anselm Adams. Group f.64 was a group of photographers in the 1930s who advocated for a pure style of photography.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: Eadweard Muybridge's Photography of Motion
From the National Museum of American History this is a description and analysis of the photography of expatriate Englishman Eadweard Muybridge. "Freeze Frame: Muybridge's Photography of Motion" iclude's examples of Muybridge's work...
Other
Digicam History
DigicamHistory.com is an educational site for digital camera enthusiasts interested in the history of the digital camera. Click on different hyperlinked years to explore cameras through the 1800s up to today's digitals.
Other
History and Discovery of Cinematography
Self-published textbook, by film historian Paul Burns, on the history of filmmaking. Covers pre-cinematic technologies and events and ends with the discovery of motion pictures in the late nineteenth century.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: Magic Lanterns, Magic Mirrors
Like fun house mirrors, motion pictures over the past one hundred years have reflected, challenged, influenced, and altered our visions of ourselves and the world in which we live. This virtual Exhibition was produced by the Photographic...
Virginia History Series
Virginia History Series: The American Civil War in Virginia [Pdf]
The state of Virginia played a pivotal role in the Civil War. Trace the war from the beginning to the battles in Virginia, and to Lee's surrender through this comprehensive slideshow. Included are charts, maps and actual photography from...
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Comission
Explore Pa History: Robert Cornelius
A concise biographical sketch examining the life and contributions of early photographer and Pennsylvania native, Robert Cornelius.
Other
The Daguerreian Society
A great resource for students or teachers interested in the history of photography, specifically the earliest method, the daguerreotype, of the 19th century.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Open Course Ware: Photography and Truth
Photography plays an essential role in anthropology. Draw from these materials to assist in illustrating this role.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: Gyotaku: The Ancient Japanese Art of Printing Fish
How did fishermen record their trophy catches before the invention of photography? In 19th century Japan, fishing boats were equipped with rice paper, sumi-e ink, and brushes in order to create gyotaku: elaborate rubbings of freshly...
Library of Congress
Loc: America's First Look Into the Camera (Daguerreotypes)
A searchable database from the Library of Congress that provides a fascinating look into the history of photography from 1839-1864. There are images from the Matthew Brady Studio and studio portraits by black photographers James P. Ball...
Other
Digital Imaging in Education
This resource is a 15-page PDF that gives a good history of the shift from film to digital photography and applications for digital imaging in the classroom. Included are nine lesson plans which include project ideas, guidelines for...
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: Illuminating Photography: From Camera Obscura to Camera Phone
The origins of the cameras we use today were invented in the 19th century. Or were they? A millenia before, Arab scientist Alhazen was using the camera obscura to duplicate images, with Leonardo da Vinci following suit 500 years later...
Curated OER
History Matters: Making Sense of Documentary Photography
A great guide to making sense of documentary photography. Learn ways to distinguish between early and modern photos, where the photo was taken, and how the photo was presented.
Other
Nez Perce Photography
A site that follows the history of the Nez Perce, from the late nineteenth century to the present, using historical photographs of Chief Joseph, battlegrounds, and the Nez Perce people.
Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum
The Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum
If you are researching the Central Pacific Railroad or the importance of photography in the recording of our social and technological history, this site is for you. You will find plenty of topic photos and good information about the...
The History Place
The History Place: Dorothea Lange: Migrant Farm Families
Learn about the history of migrant workers in America by viewing the work of Dorothea Lange, one of the most famous photographers of the Great Depression.
Library of Congress
Loc: Popular Photographic Print Processes
This link is designed in a historic presentation to explain the various processes and functions of photography.
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Education: Every Picture Has a Story
This retrospect on photography looks at the history of this art form and compares it to its function today.
George Eastman Museum
Eastmanhouse: Inventors in Imaging Technologies
See how George Eastman, Thomas Edison, and Wilhelm Roentgen impacted American film history and had inventions that were interrelated.