The Last Person To Know The World Before Photography
Entertainment
Introduction
Katherine Plunkett was born in 1821 and passed away in 1932 at the remarkable age of 111. This remarkable lifespan makes her the last known human to have any memory of life before photography became a part of daily reality. Plunkett was just 6 years old when the very first photograph was created. Her unique position allows her to stand as a bridge between a world that relied solely on storytelling and lived experiences and one that became heavily influenced by visual technology.
Before the invention of photography, various forms of art existed to capture moments in time—painting, drawing, and sculpture, for example. These art forms conveyed stories and events, yet they were fundamentally different from photography. Paintings and sculptures can be likened to actors performing a role—they reinterpret and dress up narratives from the past. In contrast, a photograph is akin to a ghost; it captures a moment in time and seems to capture something real, something that could have existed in that exact moment. A photograph can feel objective, presenting itself as a visual imprint or fingerprint of reality, while traditional art often conveys a narrative or emotional interpretation.
It's essential to acknowledge that photographs are not entirely free from subjective influence. The photographer makes critical decisions about framing, timing, and context, which can alter the message conveyed through the image. Nevertheless, photographs have a unique power—they manifest a memory of reality that is distinct from the narratives shaped by human interpretation in art.
Katherine Plunkett’s life represents the end of an era. She is significant not just for reaching an impressive age but for having memories that predate the ability to capture life through a photographic lens. Since her time, machines and technology have significantly changed our ways of remembering and perceiving the world. The "ghosts" created by these machines—our photographs—come with a different lifeline; they age and die much differently than humans do, leading to a transformation in how we relate to memory and reality itself.
Keywords
- Katherine Plunkett
- Last person
- Memories
- Life before photography
- Art forms
- Painting
- Sculpture
- Photography
- Objective
- Subjective
- Technology
- Memory
FAQ
Who was Katherine Plunkett?
Katherine Plunkett was a woman who lived from 1821 to 1932, known as the last person to have memories of life before photography.
What does it mean to live in a world before photography?
Living in a world before photography meant relying on oral storytelling and traditional art forms like painting and sculpture to capture and remember moments in time.
How do photographs differ from other art forms?
Photographs capture reality in a way that feels more direct and objective, akin to a fingerprint, while traditional art forms reinterpret stories and emotions subjectively.
Why is the concept of memory significant in this context?
Memory is significant because it shapes our understanding of reality and history; photographs and technology have altered how we remember and interpret our past experiences.
What impact has technology had on memory?
Technology has changed the way we capture, share, and remember experiences, creating "ghosts" of moments that age differently than human memory, altering our relationship with the past.