ROCHESTER, NY.- George Eastman House announced the official launch of its completed Photographic Process Videos project. The video series was funded by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services Museums for America Program. The complete series can be found on the museum's YouTube channel.

Six new videos were created by the museum to educate students, professionals, and lifelong learners on the history and methods of photographic processes. Each video explains a different photographic process through demonstrations, behind-the-scenes footage of the museum, examination of collection objects, and conversations with curators, conservators, and historians that situate the specific process within the wider worlds of art and culture. The subjects covered in the new videos include the experiments that led to the invention of photography; William Henry Fox Talbot's processes (photogenic drawing, calotype negative, salted paper print); the cyanotype; the pigment processes (carbon and gum bichromate prints); color photography; and digital photography.

The need for expanded and visually engaging histories of photographic materials was proven by the success of a set of six videos on photographic processes that the museum produced in 2012, with more than 100,000 combined views on YouTube. Those original videos have been updated with new content and interviews, creating a total of 12 phographic process videos that are now available for viewing by visiting bit.ly/photoprocesses.

“George Eastman House is in a unique position to tell the stories of these photographic processes because of our remarkable collections, our rich history of scholarship, and the world-renowned expertise of our people,” said Bruce Barnes, Ron and Donna Fielding Director, George Eastman House. “The addition of these new videos presents a more complete history of photographic materials and processes. As we enter further into the digital era of photography it is important to educate the public on the material origins of this important medium.”

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. Its mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. IMLS grant making, policy development, and research help libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive.