Animals in Motion

The dry plate's most spectacular early use was by Eadweard Muybridge. &; LifeA really marvelous series of plates. &; Nature (London)These photographs have resolved many complicated questions. &; Art JournalHere is the largest most comprehensive selection of Muybridge's famous animal photos &; more than 4000 high-speed shots of 34 different animals and birds in 123 different types of actions. Animals are shown walking running leaping flying &; in typical actions. The horse alone is shown in more than 40 different ways: galloping with nude rider trotting pacing with sulky cantering jumping hurdles carrying rolling on barrels and 36 other actions. All photos taken against ruled backgrounds; most actions taken from 3 angles at once: 90 degrees 60 degrees rear. Foreshortened views are included. These are true action photos stopped in series taken at speeds up to 1/2000th of a second. Actions are illustrated in series with as many as 50 shots per action. Muybridge worked with the University of Pennsylvania for three years made more than 100000 exposures and spent more than $50000. His work has never been superseded as a lifetime reference for animators illustrators artists and art directors.