Explorers and entrepreneurs behind the camera

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This volume features images from the Ibero-American Institute (IAI) dating from 1856 to 1939, captured in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Portugal, Spain, and Peru. The essays follow the historical progression of photography, beginning with early studio and travel photographs and culminating in documentation of early film productions. It outlines the technological advancements in photography from the mid-19th to early 20th century. A primary goal is to present various types of photographers within their historical contexts. Many were commercial photographers operating studios, earning a living through portrait photography. Another significant group includes scientific expedition photographers, who undertook lengthy journeys under challenging conditions, such as navigating the Amazon rainforest. These pioneers carried heavy equipment, including glass plates and mobile laboratories, often requiring numerous assistants. The volume compiles insights from authors who have researched the IAI’s image archive over the past decade, examining the photographers' lives and works while contextualizing the images historically. Their contributions serve as a foundation for future research, offering information on photographs in other archives and inspiring further exploration into this rich photographic history.