Lightning Fields

The word electricity is thought to derive from the ancient Greek elektron, meaning “amber.” When subject to friction, materials

such as amber and fur produce an effect that we now know as static electricity. Related phenomena were studied in the

eighteenth century, most notably by Benjamin Franklin. To test his theory that lightning is electricity, in 1752 Franklin flew a kite

in a thunderstorm. He conducted the experiment at great danger to himself; in fact, other researchers were electrocuted while

conducting similar experiments. He not only proved his hypothesis, but also that electricity has positive and negative charges.

In 1831, Michael Faraday’s formulation of the law of electromagnetic induction led to the invention of electric generators and

transformers, which dramatically changed the quality of human life. Far less well-known is that Faraday’s colleague,

William Fox Talbot, was the father of calotype photography. Fox Talbot’s momentous discovery of the photosensitive properties

of silver alloys led to the development of positive-negative photographic imaging. The idea of observing the effects of electrical

discharges on photographic dry plates reflects my desire to re-create the major discoveries of these scientific pioneers in the

darkroom and verify them with my own eyes.

- Hiroshi Sugimoto