Robert Adamson (1821-1848) was a Scottish chemist and one of the first photographers. He also had an elderly friend, the artist David Octavius Hill (1802-1870). Four years after the invention of photography, in 1843, they founded the Hill & Adamson studio in Edinburgh.
Hill and Adamson worked with calotype (an early photography method), creating hundreds of portraits, landscapes, and reportage shots. Because calotypes required ample sunlight, many of their photographs were taken outdoors in their garden.
In the photograph we're interested in, Hill is on the right. He's apparently already had a good drink, making this the first photograph of a drunk person in history. At the table are James Ballantyne, the writer and son of a brewer, and Dr. George Bell, a public figure. The 1843 photograph was titled "Edinburgh Ale Drinkers."
by Banzay_87
8 comments
Did they have to hold this pose? It looks quite candid.
Looks like Bill Paterson, Alex Ferns and Gabriel Byrne
Its a great shot but lets also bask in the glory of the first ever colour photograph: Maxwells Tartan Ribbon
https://preview.redd.it/9qkqkvb5r6qf1.jpeg?width=600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5e1bd779b0301dac4a95e051ea7587f15be1f0c4
(Reproduction from original negatives)
The guy in the middle has the most seminal, mischievous, up for total chaos, Scottish look of drunkenness I’ve ever seen.
Poncy wee glesses
Boy on the right on his mobile…
Never knew they used to drink buckfast out of fancy glasses
Garth Marenghi there in the middle.
Amazing to see people from the 1840s just enjoying life.
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