Hobart Panorama from Ship Mast, 1904

Chester Melvin Vaniman, (American, 1866-1912). [Hobart From Salamanca Place, Tasmania], 1904 vintage platinum photograph, panorama, annotated and dated 'registered 1904', and signed in negative lower right, 37.6 x 118 cm. Laid down on acid-free backing. This image was taken from the mast of a ship berthed alongside Princes Wharf, and shows Sullivans Cove and the city of Hobart beyond it, with Mt Wellington, in the background, capped in snow. Vaniman had intended that his panoramas, be exhibited in public buildings as massive enlargements, but today they survive, as extremely detailed platinum contact prints. Vaniman was an aviator as well as a photographer who specialized in panoramic images. He shot his images from gas balloons, ships' masts, tall buildings and even a home-made, 30-metre pole. He scaled buildings, hung from self-made slings, and scaled dangerous, high locations to capture his unique images.