Photography History & Concepts Search Guide

The Academy of Art University and AMICA Library Collections hosted in the LUNA digital image database contain hundreds of examples of early photographs by pioneering and innovative photographers. These images directly support the Academy of Art University photography curriculum and specifically the PH 101: Photo History and Concepts core course. Images include photography by Nadar, William Henry Fox Talbot, and Julia Margaret Cameron. These images show historical techniques and processes such as daguerreotypes, tintypes, experimental "photogenic drawings" of the 1830s, as well as twentieth century gelatin silver prints. Subjects of the photos are varied including nudes, landscapes, architecture, geographic locations, experiments, and portraits of famous artists. Photographs in this collection are taken from the George Eastman House, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Bridgeman Art Library (which includes works from the prestigious Giraudon archive, founded in 1877).

To view, print, or download images of early photography visit the library's Digital Images Webpage and select LUNA Digital Image Collections. (You do not need to register with LUNA to view, print, or download images).

Select either the Academy of Art University or the Amica Library Collections.

Select "Advanced Search" to search for images by specific search fields.

Use the two-columned tables below to guide your advanced search. Select a search field from the drop-down menu in the "find this exact wording" field and type in a word or an artists' name. For example, select Work Type, begin typing "photographs" in the "find this exact wording" field, and select search.

Sort options tool -
The results of an advanced or keyword search may be sorted. The sort options tool may only be used when one collection is selected at a time.

Up to four fields may be sorted. Use the dropdown menu to select the fields you want to sort and select sort.

Keyword searching -
Wildcard Search Help: The Academy of Art University and Amica Library Collections support wildcard searching, which can be done with an asterisk (*) in the keyword field. Combining the wildcard symbol with a word may broaden a search by including variations of that word. For example, searching for images that illustrate "photography" and "photograms" can be done with the keyword "photogra*".

Public Media Groups -
Media Groups are groups of images that may be created by registered users and viewed publicly by anyone using LUNA. Slide shows and presentations may be created from Media Groups. (Any currently enrolled students and teachers may register with LUNA.)

Browse "Public Media Groups" to view groups of images that show examples of historical photography. Make sure that "All Collections" are selected.

Select Explore and then Media Groups

The "PH 101" Media Groups reflect strong examples of historical photography by time period. (Media Groups are alphabetized by title.)