How do you make a photograph? (With a camera) What are some different kinds of cameras? (Polaroid, disposable, Kodak, 35mm, Video, etc. See how many different kinds of cameras students can come up with; write them on the board) There are many different kinds of photographs; some photographs -- like video -- can even move, can't they?
The word "photography" comes from 2 greek words: Photo = light (like photosynthesis); Graph = to write (like graphite in your pencils). So if we put those two roots together, what does "photography" mean? (Writing with light) Photographs are made when light enters your camera and causes a chemical change in the film that is inside.
Who has ever taken a picture? Who owns their own camera?
Who has a picture of themself when they were a baby? Do you have pictures of your mom or dad when they were little kids? Your grandparents? Photography has been around a long time, hasn't it?
Who knows, or who can guess, when photography was invented? Photography was invented in 1839. How many years ago was that?
This is the first photograph that was invented (show them the daguerreotype). It is called a daguerreotype (pronounced duh-gair-o-type; write it on the board, if you like). That's a strange word, isn't it? The man who invented it was named Louis Daguerre. He named the daguerreotype after himself. His last name was Daguerre, so he just added "otype" to the end of his name -- daguerreotype!
(Direct question at one student) If you had invented photography in 1839, what would you have called it? (Lopez + otype = "Lopezotype")
How does this daguerreotype look different from the photographs that we make today?
There is no color / it is black and white Right! In the 1800s, people could only make black and white photographs. When we visit the CMP, you will see some daguerreotypes with color. How do you think those were made? Yes! They painted them. Most of the time, they painted the lips and cheeks pink so they would look rosy. Sometimes, they would paint jewelry, like earrings or a necklace, gold.
I can't see it / It looks like a hologram Yes, it is hard to see, isn't it? What do you see first when I hold it up? Do you see yourself? It looks like a mirror, doesn't it? In fact, when the daguerreotype was first invented, people called it the "mirror with the memory."
What are the photographs we make today made of? They are paper aren't they? What do you think this daguerreotype is made from?
It is made from metal -- actually copper. Can anyone name something else we use today that is made from copper? (pennies, etc.) This daguerreotype doesn't look like a penny, though, does it? It is shiny because the copper is coated with silver. A piece of glass is placed over the daguerreotype to protect it.
Now we are going to look at some other photographs that were made many years ago. We are going to see ten different kinds of photographs. (Write the names of the photographs listed above on the board. Since some of the names are difficult to pronounce, it may also be helpful to read each name aloud, and have the students repeat them.)
(Begin activity)
Divide the class into 6 groups. Give each group one kit. Have the students spread out all of the images so that everyone can see them. Students should take turns reading the clues aloud, and work together as a team to identify the images.