The First Picture

Blog Post #1

The year is 1903. David Davidson is in his 2nd year of college at Brown University. He is also in his 3rd year of working part time for Wallace Nutting, learning the art of hand colored photography. At about the same time Davidson is entering into civil engineering classes at Brown University, he is also building a photography studio in the attic of his parents home. So the desire to follow in the footsteps of Wallace Nutting is already starting to take hold.

Unfortunately, successfully creating an acceptable picture, did not come easy for the young Davidson. Twelve attempts were necessary before he could create a good negative. This first photo was a picture of the residence of a wealthy citizen in the community. But this was taken without the owner’s request. The issue resolved and the finished photograph was successfully presented and sold to the homeowner for $3.00. Word soon spread and other owners of fine homes were interested in having pictures taken!

The first published pictures taken by David Davidson in 1903 were: “Locust Drive” #23, a simple country road scene, and “Old Ironsides” #01, picturing a huge rock with the ocean surf breaking over it. Both were first presented in black and white and later that same year they were sold in color. These were the first photographs finished in watercolors to be placed on the market.