Graphic Design: Lesson 10; Unit 4

Consider what you have learned about early camera equipment. Which statement BEST explains why Robert Fenton took pictures of the field after battle?

1. early cameras could only capture very still scenes,
2. the earliest cameras took only black and white photographs.
3. Photography was still new, so the uses of photography were not clear.
4. Robert Fenton was inspired by Civil War photographer Matthew Brady.

3. Photography was still new, so the uses of photography were not clear.

The BEST explanation for why Robert Fenton took pictures of the field after battle is statement 3: 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 battle, we need to consider the information about early camera equipment that you have learned in Lesson 10, Unit 4 of your graphic design course.

1. Early cameras could only capture very still scenes: This statement suggests that the limitation of early cameras being able to capture only still scenes might have influenced Fenton's decision to photograph the field after the battle. However, this statement does not directly explain why Fenton specifically took pictures of the field after the battle.

2. The earliest cameras took only black and white photographs: While this statement provides information about the early cameras, it does not address Fenton's specific decision to photograph the field after the battle.

3. Photography was still new, so the uses of photography were not clear: This statement suggests that since photography was a relatively new invention during the time Fenton was taking pictures, its uses might not have been widely understood. This lack of clarity about photography's applications could have motivated Fenton to explore different subjects to photograph, such as the field after the battle.

4. Robert Fenton was inspired by Civil War photographer Matthew Brady: This statement suggests that Fenton took pictures of the field after the battle because he was inspired by Matthew Brady, a renowned Civil War photographer. Brady's documentation of the war might have influenced Fenton to capture similar images and stories through his own photography.

Based on the provided options, statement 4 seems to be the best explanation for why Robert Fenton took pictures of the field after battle.