Early Norfolk Photographs
1840 - 1860
The Early Photographers

Photography has been utterly transformed since its analogue origins in the early 19th century. From long-exposure, monochrome beginnings through ‘instantaneous’ exposure and colour images, it has evolved to digital processes that allow us to record events light years distant. Before the advent of photography, many individuals searched for ways permanently to capture the fleeting images projected within the camera obscura, which had been an artist’s aid for some two hundred years.

Richard AlexanderRichard Alexander (1788-1865)
Banker, Philanthropist, Botanist
Member of the Photographic Society. Thomas BayfieldThomas Bayfield (1817-1893)
Ironmonger, Geologist,
Master of the Blind School
member of the Norwich Photographic Society. John BlowersJohn Blowers, Chimneys at Costessey Hall William BoldingWilliam Bolding (1815-1899)
Landowner, Farmer, Miller, Brewer,
Archaeologist, Artist and Photographer William BoswellWilliam Boswell Jnr.
portrait of J. B. Ladbrooke Thomas EatonThomas Eaton (1800-1871)
Music critic, flautist, artist, photographer
First President of the Norwich Photographic Society T. H. ElyT. H. Ely, Daguerreotypist Jean-Gabriel EynardJean-Gabriel Eynard, Banker and Daguerreotypist George FittGeorge Robert Fitt (1809-1893)
Banker’s clerk, artist and photographer. William FrancisWilliam Bransby Francis (1814-1874)
Surgeon and Photographer William FreemanWilliam Freeman (1813-1897)
Carver, gilder, framer, print-seller and photographer Henry HarmerHenry Harmer:
Caister Castle tower & plough George HarperGeorge_Harper:
House repairing, Bank Plain, Norwich
salted paper print, July 1845 Henry HarrodHenry Harrod (1817-1871)
Solicitor, antiquary, archaeologist and
member of Norwich Photographic Society Hill & AdamsonElizabeth Rigby (1809-1893)
Author and Critic James HowesRussell Sedgfield
James Howes
Albumen print, 1850s William HuntWilliam Hunt, Photographer, close friend of Thomas Eaton Thomas LoundThomas Lound, Artist and Photographer John MiddletonJohn Middleton, Artist and Photographer John MilesJohn Miles, Chapel at Houghton St. Giles Charles MuskettCharles Muskett, Bookseller and publisher Samuel Oglesby daguerreotype processSamuel Oglesby, Itinerant photographer Henry PulleyHenry Pulley, Solicitor and photographer Dr. William RankingDr. William Ranking, Surgeon and photographer Josiah Roope Josiah Roope, Chemist and photographer Caleb Burrell RoseCaleb Rose, Surgeon, geologist and ‘photographer’ Samuel SmithSamuel Smith, Scientific instrument maker and photographer John SawyerJohn Sawyer, Portrait of Thomas Eaton William SedgefieldWilliam Sedgefield
self portrait Rev. Joseph SissonRev. Joseph Sisson
Bacton Cottages J StewartJ Stewart
Wellington Statue, Norwich Market Place Susannah Smith Susannah Smith Advertisement Henry ThompsonHenry Thompson, Photosophical instrument maker and photographer George Villiers George Villiers, Itinerant photographer