Among the statements provided, the one that BEST explains why Roger Fenton took pictures of the field after battle would likely be the first one: "Early cameras could only capture very still scenes."
Here's a bit of context: Roger Fenton was a pioneering British photographer, best known for his work photographing the Crimean War in 1855. During that time, the technology and techniques available for photography were indeed very limited compared to modern standards. The collodion process used in Fenton's time required long exposure times, which meant that the subjects had to be still during the exposure to avoid blurring the image. This made it difficult to capture anything with movement, such as an active battle scene.
By contrast, the aftermath of a battle would be much more suited to the capabilities of early cameras, as the scenes would be mostly still, allowing Fenton to take clear photographs. So while Fenton's choice was due in part to technical limitations, his images also served as some of the first examples of war photography, communicating the realities of war back home.
As for the last statement, it is historically inaccurate. Roger Fenton was active as a photographer during the 1850s, which was before the American Civil War and hence before the work of Matthew Brady, who is well-known for his documentation of the American Civil War in the early 1860s. This means that Fenton would not have been inspired by Matthew Brady, as his work came before Brady's.
Photographs from the time would indeed have been in black and white, but this characteristic does not explain why Fenton would have chosen to photograph the aftermath of battles. The newness of photography also doesn't directly influence the choice of taking photos after the battle, and while it might explain a general experimental approach to the medium, it doesn't specifically address Fenton's battlefield photography.
Therefore, the best explanation within the context of these choices is that early cameras could best capture very still scenes, such as a battlefield after the action had subsided.
Consider what you have learned about early camera equipment. Which statement BEST explains why Robert Fenton took pictures of the field after battle?
(1 point)
Responses
Early cameras could only capture very still scenes.
Early cameras could only capture very still scenes.
The earliest cameras took only black and white photographs.
The earliest cameras took only black and white photographs.
Photography was still new, so the uses of photography were not clear.
Photography was still new, so the uses of photography were not clear.
Robert Fenton was inspired by Civil War photographer Matthew Brady.
1 answer