Picture the Past: Nottingham

Author: Geoffrey Oldfield

Picture the Past: Nottingham

Nottingham – Picture the Past is a unique insight into the use of photography in the illustrious history of one of England’s finest cities, and a picture of how photographs were used, developed, and what they meant to the people of Nottingham throughout the 19th and into the 20th Century. Looking beyond the exquisite exterior of these well-kept photos, readers can see the historical context in which they are set, and through the author’s factual captions for every picture and carefully-selected choice of images, the reader can achieve a reliable view of the city’s history.
In Nottingham – Picture the Past readers are able to follow a timeline of events and watch as, not only the photographic techniques but also the uses for photographs, evolve in front of their eyes, from photos being used for personal use among the fashionable and rich, to their use as an artistic expression and for commercial purposes towards the end of the 19th century. The book is a refreshing and exciting way of looking at the origins of photography in Nottingham and how both the technical and design aspects of photography continually evolved to keep up with an ever-changing society.
For years, the illustrations collection in Nottingham, acquired by the County Council in 1976, has become recognised as an indispensable aid to illustrate many books of local interest and also aid members of the public with general interest in records of the past. Now readers can achieve an exciting insight into Nottingham’s past, presented by the author in a comprehensive and detailed guide. The book will be essential reading and reference for residents both past and present, who take an interest in photography and the city’s colourful history.