See city through a new lens at Main Library exhibit

Who: The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Cincy Stories and FotoFocus 

What: Panorama of Progress Exhibition

Where: Joseph S. Stern, Jr. Cincinnati Room at the Main Library, 800 Vine St., Downtown Cincinnati

When: Sept. 29–Oct. 31, 2018  

Why: On Sept. 24, 1848 Charles Fontayne and William S. Porter—using one of the earliest forms of photography, daguerreotype—photographed Cincinnati from atop a building in Newport, Kentucky, creating a sweeping, eight-plate panorama.

On Sept. 24, 2018 a group of local photographers is recreating the iconic image. Every detail including time of day, location, elevation, and focal length was meticulously researched and executed with the very best technology the world currently has to offer: Hasselblad provided their renowned cameras for the re-creation.

Take a 170-year journey through the parallel growth of Cincinnati and photographic technology to reflect on the amazing achievements of those who came before us, be reminded of how fantastical our world is now, and be inspired by what the future can hold. The original daguerreotype, the modern re-creation, and examples of Cincinnati cityscape images through the years are on view, along with a digital representation of the original daguerreotype and new version combined, so viewers can dissolve one into another experiencing in detail the exact changes our city has experienced.

For more information, call 513-369-6900 or visit CincinnatiLibrary.org.