Ask a librarian, Photography, Preservation:
In ‘Broken Glass (part 1)’, we looked at how the Library captures glass plate negatives, and explored some interestingly damaged photographs from the Library’s collection. In this – part 2 – we look at how the Library houses the negatives and show some more examples of unexpected beauty.
We are always looking for that perfect image of the past. While often seen as a detriment, broken glass and chemical emulsion damage on early photographic glass plate negatives can have their own particular beauty. Explore a selection of interestingly damaged photographs from the Library’s collection.
Photography, Social life & customs, Such was life:
The Etkins collection consists of wonderful portraits of people and places throughout 19th century Victoria.
Explore some of the mysteries in Vincent Kelly’s Bendigo photographic portraits.
Ask a librarian, Cities & towns, Photography, Reference desk:
Read about the time Paris lost itself in Melbourne. Good thing we found it and gave it back to the world! Here’s the fascinating story of a collection that everyone believed to be lost.
Performing Arts, Photography, Theatre:
Happy or sad, straight-faced or bumbling, creepy or cute, there many different kinds of clown. Join us as we take a look at some of the lesser-known clowns in the State Library’s photo collection.
Collection spotlights, Photography:
Journey through the evocative early works of Greek-Australian photographer Georgia Metaxas, and be drawn into the world of community and performance.
Collection spotlights, Photography, Visual arts:
Muse over the iconic, mid-century photographs of Henry Talbot. Featuring the fashion and advertising world of 1950s and 60s Melbourne.
Buildings & streets, Photography, Such was life:
The Library has recently digitised hundreds of images of Victorian trams and trains captured by a visiting enthusiast in the 1960s.
Our stories, Painting, Photography:
Europe went crazy for all things Egyptian in the early 19th century, which helps explain why the Library’s collection includes rare works by two famous Egyptologists: painter David Roberts and photographer Francis Frith.
