Color Photography from 1900-1915

Sergei Mikhailovich Prokudin-Gorskii took color pictures in the first part of the 20th century by taking three photos of each subject—one each in red, green, and blue filters—and combining them for a color composite. According to the intro of this Newsweek gallery, his prints were lost but his plates recovered and digitally combined by the Library of Congress.  For all images, see the Library of Congress’ collection.

It’s astonishing how often I had to suppress the feeling that I was looking at modern-day people dressed up in costumes. To think of these people and places in colors other than “sepia” is amazing.