Photographer of the Early West: The Story of Arundel Hull
Eugene Miller has presented the story of his grandfather's travels and life in the American west of the mid to late 1800's.
The essence of Arundel Hull is captured as the story unfolds tracing his life from a young man to elder statesman. The author aptly shows Mr. Hull rushing to meet his destiny as he embarks on his career at the young age of 16. He is on his way to becoming one of America's earliest, prominent photographers.
The reader follows Mr. Hull as he works with the development of photography from the daguerreotype to the early collodian process called ambrotype. In 1860, further improvements to this process came about that allowed photographer's to take their camera and darkroom to the field.
Mr. Hull did just that as he took to the road traveling from Nebraska to Wyoming, Utah, Colorado and back taking pictures to help pay his way as he gained experience. He was also building a good reputation as one of the best photographers in the west. The author states "Arundel Hull's early work caught the country's excitement in the frontier west during the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad. Among the photographs Mr. Hull is credited with are some of the earliest known of the different cities main streets and buildings that show the architecture of the times. "Many of his early photographs were the 'first ever' of the towns that were boom during those years." It is also a time capsule of what businesses were in the towns during his travels. Mr. Miller sprinkles the book with pictures taken by his grandfather.
The author also touches upon the personal life of his grandparent's courtship, marriage, and family. He shows the life of this great man from young entrepreneur interested in photography, to his interest in the volunteer fire services, and finally to elder statesman who has a strong influence in the railroads progress west.
This is a loving tribute from a grandson to his grandfather. Mr. Miller has graciously shared with us the story of the man who devoted his life to photographing the West, giving a pictorial glimpse into America at that time.
It is a well-written, informative book that intrigues you and leaves you wanting to know more about this great American family.
Eugene Miller has presented the story of his grandfather's travels and life in the American west of the mid to late 1800's.
The essence of Arundel Hull is captured as the story unfolds tracing his life from a young man to elder statesman. The author aptly shows Mr. Hull rushing to meet his destiny as he embarks on his career at the young age of 16. He is on his way to becoming one of America's earliest, prominent photographers.
The reader follows Mr. Hull as he works with the development of photography from the daguerreotype to the early collodian process called ambrotype. In 1860, further improvements to this process came about that allowed photographer's to take their camera and darkroom to the field.
Mr. Hull did just that as he took to the road traveling from Nebraska to Wyoming, Utah, Colorado and back taking pictures to help pay his way as he gained experience. He was also building a good reputation as one of the best photographers in the west. The author states "Arundel Hull's early work caught the country's excitement in the frontier west during the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad. Among the photographs Mr. Hull is credited with are some of the earliest known of the different cities main streets and buildings that show the architecture of the times. "Many of his early photographs were the 'first ever' of the towns that were boom during those years." It is also a time capsule of what businesses were in the towns during his travels. Mr. Miller sprinkles the book with pictures taken by his grandfather.
The author also touches upon the personal life of his grandparent's courtship, marriage, and family. He shows the life of this great man from young entrepreneur interested in photography, to his interest in the volunteer fire services, and finally to elder statesman who has a strong influence in the railroads progress west.
This is a loving tribute from a grandson to his grandfather. Mr. Miller has graciously shared with us the story of the man who devoted his life to photographing the West, giving a pictorial glimpse into America at that time.
It is a well-written, informative book that intrigues you and leaves you wanting to know more about this great American family.
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