Plate Number 160. Jumping, running broad jump 1887

Eadweard Muybridge made this series of photographs using a complex setup involving multiple cameras, each triggered in sequence. The images were then printed in a grid on a single sheet, a technique that combines scientific precision with a clear visual presentation. Muybridge was driven by a desire to dissect motion, to break it down into discrete moments. This wasn't art for art's sake. It was about capturing information, and in doing so, revealing truths about the human body that the naked eye couldn't perceive. The photographic process itself is crucial here. Think about the labor involved, setting up the cameras, developing the plates, printing the final image. It’s an early example of how technology could be harnessed to analyze and understand the world around us. This series isn't just a record of a jump, it's a demonstration of how photography could unlock new ways of seeing, influencing not only science but also the development of cinema. It challenges us to consider the intersection of art, science, and the pursuit of knowledge.