Consider what you have learned about early camera equipment. Which statement BEST explains why Robert Fenton took pictures of the field after battle?
(1 point)
• Early cameras could only capture very still scenes.
• The earliest cameras took only black and white photographs.
O Photography was still new, so the uses of photography were not clear.
• Robert Fenton was inspired by Civil War photographer Matthew Brady.
• Robert Fenton was inspired by Civil War photographer Matthew Brady.
The statement that BEST explains why Robert Fenton took pictures of the field after battle is: "Photography was still new, so the uses of photography were not clear."
To determine the best explanation for why Robert Fenton took pictures of the field after the battle, we can analyze the possible statements.
The statement "Early cameras could only capture very still scenes" is not the best explanation, as early cameras were capable of capturing motion to some extent. They typically required longer exposure times, making it more challenging to capture motion, but it is not the main reason for Fenton's decision.
The statement "The earliest cameras took only black and white photographs" is also not a strong explanation. While it is true that early cameras predominantly captured black and white images, it does not directly explain why Fenton photographed the field after the battle.
The statement "Photography was still new, so the uses of photography were not clear" provides some context relevant to Fenton's decision. As photography was a developing medium at that time, its potential applications were not fully understood. This lack of clarity may have driven Fenton to document the aftermath of the battle using photography, exploring new possibilities for the medium.
The statement "Robert Fenton was inspired by Civil War photographer Matthew Brady" suggests a personal motivation for Fenton's actions. If Fenton admired Brady and his work, it is possible that he was motivated to follow in Brady's footsteps by capturing significant events and documenting historical moments.
Considering the options, the statement "Photography was still new, so the uses of photography were not clear" appears to be the best explanation for why Robert Fenton took pictures of the field after the battle. However, it is important to note that Fenton's personal inspiration could also be a contributing factor. The best explanation might involve a combination of both reasons: the exploratory nature of photography at that time and Fenton's admiration for Matthew Brady's work.