John
McCosh is considered to be one of the first known war photographer, he was born
on the 5th of March 1805 in Burma, India. McCosh was the son of a
Scottish surveyor; in 1831 he joined the
 |
| John McCosh |
Indian Medical Service after
completing his studies on medicine in Edinburgh. In 1833 he was the only
survivor after his ship sanked in Amsterdam, he started to practice photography
while he was stationed in the Himalayas in 1844.
His
most renowned photographic work is the calotype negatives, which he in 1848
during the Second Sikh War, these are now confirmed to be the first war
photographs ever taken. In 1852 McCosh reused made again use of photography
during the Burmese War, but this time with a larger camera.
Not
only was McCosh one of the first war photographers, but he was also an artists
wise photographer, as in 1855 he had presented a set of hand-colored
photographs in the exhibition of the Photographic Society of Bombay. In 1856
McCosh published a revised edition of his booklet “Advise to Officers in India” he insisted that all surgeon
assistants must learn the photographic processes in all mediums on paper, glass
plate and metallic plates. In 1856 McCosh retired from the army, and perused to
travel and poetry.
Here are extracts from advice that he gave
in a note addressed to Officers in 1856:
"I have practiced it for many years, and know of no extra
professional pursuit that will more repay him for all the expense and trouble
(and both are very considrable) than this fascinating study - especially the
new process by collodion for the stereoscope."
"The camera should be made of good substantial mahogany, clamped
with brass, made to stand extremes of heat."
 |
| First Photograph in Punjab |
Luminous
Lint, 2013. John McCosh. [online]
Available
at:
[Accessed
25 December 2013].
No comments:
Post a Comment