Rarely seen photographs provide a unique focal point at Perth Museum

Feb 25 2011 by Denis Brown, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

CAPTURING and sharing photographic images has never been easier.

Modern technology is a quantum leap away from equipment used by pioneers like Perth’s Magnus Jackson, a 19th Century lensman whose primary focus was shooting trees.

Exposures, especially indoors, meant subjects had to stand statue-still for up to two minutes, which explains why many people in his photographs are blurred but backgrounds appear in sharp focus.

A local councillor, Jackson died in 1891 but his legacy, diverse images providing a fascinating window into a bygone era, is now the jewel in the crown of Perth Museum and Art Gallery’s photographic collection.

“Jackson was both an artist and craftsman,” explains photographic officer Paul Adair.

“He had the eye and dedication of an artist, combined with the thorough understanding of the difficult and challenging process that was 19th Century photography."

lPerth Museum and Art Gallery, George Street, open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm. Admission is free. Contact Paul Adair via museum@pkc.gov.uk