Dublin Core
Title
Studio camera
Subject
Business
Description
This large plate studio camera was used for portrait sessions in the O’Brien Photography Studio. Missing is the lens housing, and the photographer's hood or cape at the back. The table support provides the adjustments for height and angle for the large camera. Though cumbersome, this camera style captured a highly detailed high resolution photograph.
This camera is one of several dozen from the O’Brien photography studio. Spanning three generations, the O’Brien’s helped capture life and landscapes in Waukesha for nearly a century. Daniel Dominic (D.D.) O’Brien worked first for the Van Bugbee Studio downtown in the 1880’s. His son Warren O’Brien, and his wife Elizabeth, who expanded the business in the 20th century. Their son Dean O’Brien became professor of journalism and photography at UW-Green Bay. Warren’s brothers, Clifford, Vernon, Allen, and Wilfred (O’Bie) O’Brien all worked in the photography business, the most notable being O’Bie O’Brien.
In his six decade career, Warren O’Brien created an unparalleled photographic record of the city and county. A founding member of the Waukesha Aviation Club in 1934, he was a pioneer in aerial photography. Stories recall his leaning precariously over plane wings to capture the landscape below. His work is still reproduced widely today, and can be seen throughout this exhibit.
Donor: Warren O'Brien
Adopt an Artifact Sponsor: SPX Transformer Solutions
This camera is one of several dozen from the O’Brien photography studio. Spanning three generations, the O’Brien’s helped capture life and landscapes in Waukesha for nearly a century. Daniel Dominic (D.D.) O’Brien worked first for the Van Bugbee Studio downtown in the 1880’s. His son Warren O’Brien, and his wife Elizabeth, who expanded the business in the 20th century. Their son Dean O’Brien became professor of journalism and photography at UW-Green Bay. Warren’s brothers, Clifford, Vernon, Allen, and Wilfred (O’Bie) O’Brien all worked in the photography business, the most notable being O’Bie O’Brien.
In his six decade career, Warren O’Brien created an unparalleled photographic record of the city and county. A founding member of the Waukesha Aviation Club in 1934, he was a pioneer in aerial photography. Stories recall his leaning precariously over plane wings to capture the landscape below. His work is still reproduced widely today, and can be seen throughout this exhibit.
Donor: Warren O'Brien
Adopt an Artifact Sponsor: SPX Transformer Solutions
Publisher
Waukesha County Historical Society & Museum
Date
1920's
Rights
Waukesha County Historical Society & Museum