Bibliotheque Nationale

The Biblioteque Nationale was absolutely amazing. We were able to see the first photography book ever published, we were able to HANDLE Daguerreotypes made by Daguerre himself, touch Felix Nadar and Dousineau’s work, and were able to see up close Man Ray and Henri Cartier-Bresson prints. The actual experience of being the only ones allowed to interact with those prints at the time was so beyond me. I was not expecting to see so much work, and by such well known photographers.. It is a prime example of how reading about a piece in a history book, or seeing it on a computer screen doesn’t do it justice.

While the whole experience was absolutely mind-blowing, the most exciting part for the day for me was to be able to actually handle a Daguerreotype, made by Daguerre. It was way too much for me. This was the beginning of photography—and I was able to hold the prints that he handled, that he held. To be see how the medium started, and actually get to experience it in person was surreal.  They were beyond beautiful. The physicality of prints, the color, and the way that you have to interact with Daguerreotypes are just beautiful. But there are absolutely no words for being able to actually hold one that he himself made. I was able to see fingerprints on the edges of the plate where he must have touched the chemicals-something you never wouldn’t have ever been able to tell from a computer. The colors, the weight, the preciousness that these Daguerreotypes encased were absolutely incredible. I just keep thinking about the limited number of people that have been able to see these photographs in person, let alone the number of people that have actually gotten to interact with them. To be so close to such an incredible part of history is without a doubt a once in a lifetime experience. The story that came along with the Daguerreotypes, how they sat in the attic of his castle for 100 years after his death, without being properly preserved and had very little corrosion to the surface is an absolute miracle…the fact that they made it through all of the horrible weather, after 100 years and still look absolutely incredible, is absolutely unbelievable.

 It so important to feel connected to whatever you decided to spend the rest of your life doing, and I feel that the disconnect that I felt between history books and actually experiencing the pieces in person, have been bridged. Knowing, seeing, and being able to touch some of the most amazing moments of photography has allowed a reconnection, a deeper appreciation, and an absolute jaw-dropping moment that I will never be able to forget. Knowing the roots of photography is one thing, but being able to actually experience and touch it is within a completely different frame.