Manuel du touriste photographe 1885

Editor: Here we have "Manuel du Touriste Photographe," or "Handbook for the Tourist Photographer," by Léon Vidal, dating back to 1885. It looks like an old book, perhaps a guide, with aged pages and slightly faded text. What's your interpretation of this work, considering its age and subject? Curator: Oh, this! It whispers tales of a bygone era, doesn't it? Imagine carrying this little treasure as you traipsed through cobbled Parisian streets or dusty Roman ruins. For me, it speaks to the democratization of photography. Before, it was a stuffy studio affair; suddenly, it's for anyone who fancies themselves a tourist. I love how the text itself looks almost hand-drawn, embracing imperfection in a very modern way, really. Does it suggest anything about how the “tourist” viewed their world through a lens, rather literally? Editor: That's interesting – the idea of photography becoming more accessible. And, you are right, I was caught by the typography, which has so many different styles! Do you think the slightly romantic, old style and craft of bookmaking is contrasting with what we consider a contemporary mass medium, i.e., photography? Curator: Precisely! Think of it: photography, in its infancy, seeking legitimacy within the established art world, yet bursting free from the constraints of "high art." A handbook like this bridges that gap beautifully, wrapping a new, radical medium in a comforting, familiar package. I wonder how Léon Vidal felt about empowering everyone with the ‘instant image’. A revolution in seeing, maybe? What do you take away from this, knowing a little more about its background? Editor: I see it as a charming paradox - technology wrapped in tradition. And definitely a hint about the democratisation of art. Thanks, that clarified a lot! Curator: My pleasure! I think I want to try this historical photographic tour. The original #nofilter adventure!