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Photography of a Smell by F Breitenbach
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Photography of a Smell by F Breitenbach
The odour of camphor made visible: photography of a Smell by F Breitenbach. Exhibited in the Royal Photographic Societys annual exhibition, with an explanatory note headed, " Experiments of Professor H Devaux." Date: 1938
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Media ID 14313534
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Annual Camphor Exhibited Experiments Explanatory Headed Note Odour Photographic Professor Smell Visible Made
EDITORS COMMENTS
This intriguing photograph, titled "The odour of camphor made visible: photography of a Smell" by F Breitenbach, was exhibited in the Royal Photographic Society's annual exhibition in 1938. The image, which is devoid of any discernible visual subject, was accompanied by an explanatory note headed "Experiments of Professor H Devaux." At first glance, the photograph may appear to be an abstract work of art, but it is in fact an attempt to capture the elusive nature of smell through the medium of photography. Camphor, a fragrant organic compound, was used in Professor Devaux's experiments to explore the visual correlatives of olfactory sensations. Breitenbach's photograph is a testament to the innovative spirit of the scientific community during the early 20th century. The idea that something as intangible as a smell could be made visible through photography was a fascinating concept that captivated the imaginations of scientists and artists alike. The photograph was taken using a technique known as "photomicrography," which involves taking photographs of extremely small subjects using a microscope. In this case, a drop of camphor was placed on a microscope slide and illuminated with a strong light source. The resulting image, captured by Breitenbach, is a mesmerizing swirl of white and gray tones, with a faint blue hue at the edges. Despite the advances in technology and scientific knowledge since the 1930s, the photograph remains a captivating curiosity, a reminder of the enduring fascination with the relationship between sight and smell, and the limits and possibilities of photography as an artistic and scientific medium.
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