“Capturing Life” (1839-1869)
“Capturing Life” (1839-1869) combines rare images, interviews and music for a compelling look at the first three decades of Greater Cincinnati’s remarkable photographic history. This one-hour documentary is the first episode in what is planned as a three-part series, The Big Picture: A History of Photography in Greater Cincinnati. Greater Cincinnati was a major center for the development of early American photography. Yet, few know about the photographers who helped this revolutionary medium grow from a scientific invention into a thriving business. “Capturing Life” (1839-1869) features the remarkable careers of Dr. John Locke, Ezekiel Hawkins, James P. Ball, Charles Fontayne, William Porter, Charles Waldack and John Wildman Winder. The documentary examines the social, economic and cultural impact of photography as our region rose from modest river towns into a thriving commercial center in America’s heartland. The one-hour program combines interviews with archival photographs for a compelling look at the first three decades of our region’s rich visual heritage.
Watch/download: “Capturing Life” (1839-1869) is available on Voyageur’s Vimeo Pro website for free viewing and download for non-commercial purposes. Click on the Vimeo link (left) for direct access. To download, click on the X to get rid of the Vimeo (Join for Free) banner that covers the navigation panel. Click on the download icon. A pop-up window will appear with five download options. Recommended: 1080p highest resolution (download time 2 to 3 minutes, mp4 format, 1.41 MB)
Companion website: The Big Picture: A History of Photography in Greater Cincinnati. Visit Voyageur’s companion website pages for more information, photographer profiles and educational materials to enhance use of this documentary by viewers, teachers and students. Our Education page has a series of ten free lesson plans based on history, science and culture. Developed by Voyageur’s team of media producers and educators, these lesson plans are designed for high school and college teachers and students throughout Greater Cincinnati. Enjoy!
Regional broadcasts/streaming: “Capturing Life” (1839-1869) will be re-broadcast on Tuesday, August 19 at 10:00 pm by CET and Think Tv in Southwest Ohio. Streaming link: CET Community: https://watch.cetconnect.org/video/capturing-life-1839-1869-kg6m0b/
Distribution: “Capturing Life” (1839-1869) is being distributed via public screenings, regional public television and streaming video.
October 2024: Public screenings during the FotoFocus Biennial
February 16, 2025: Broadcast premiere on CET/Think TV
February 2025: Global streaming via Voyageur Vimeo Pro website (see above)
tbd: KET broadcasts
“Capturing Life” – Public screenings: Voyageur presented “Capturing Life” (1839-1869) during a series of three public screenings held during the Fotofocus Biennial in October of 2024. The screenings were held at the Cincinnati Museum Center, Northern Kentucky University and the Main Branch of the Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County. Each screening was followed by panel discussions with scholars who provided even more insights into our region’s remarkable visual heritage. Our thanks to everyone who participated. Photo 1: “Capturing Life” (1839-1869) premiere screening held at the Cincinnati Museum Center on October 9, 2024.
Photo 2: “Capturing Life” screening panelists answer audience questions (l-r): Arabeth Balasko, Curator, Photographs, Prints & Media, Cincinnati Museum Center; Dr. Nathaniel Stein, Curator of Photography, Cincinnati Art Museum; and Dr. Theresa Leininger-Miller, Professor, Art History, DAAP, University of Cincinnati.
This program was made possible with support from: Ohio Humanities, The National Endowment for the Humanities, The Tommy and Sarah Anness Evans Family Fund, The Martha Garrison Anness Memorial Fund, Carl Stich and Amy Banister, Steve and Karen Maslowski, FotoFocus, America 250-Ohio and Voyageur Media Group, Inc.
