Portraits--A Group c. 1845

"Portraits--A Group" is a calotype photograph taken around 1845 by Scottish photographer David Octavius Hill. The image, which depicts a group of three individuals, showcases Hill’s mastery of the early photographic process. The soft, diffused light and the intimate composition create a sense of warmth and connection between the subjects, emphasizing the human element in the emerging medium of photography. The use of natural light and the focus on the subjects’ faces, their clothing and their gestures highlight the artistic potential of this new technology.