Photographer David Beveridge Adamson was born in Hawick, Scotland in 1823 and emigrated to South Australia during 1839. His brother, James Hazel Adamson, was also a photographer, as well as his son, Robert Beveridge Adamson. In addition to his photography, he was involved in the Adamson Brothers firm that manufactured agricultural machinery, and it was here perhaps where he nurtured an obvious interest in science, mechanics and general knowledge. Of the various collections of scientific instruments, appliances and toys that he designed and made, Adamson produced a Newtonian reflecting telescope in 1886, which he erected at his Angas Street premises in Adelaide. The telescope was covered by a mobile iron structure that could easily be moved to the side when the telescope was in use. In 1888, Adamson took lunar photographs, which were likely the first of their kind in South Australia. The Observer reported that,
Mr Adamson of Angas-street, has recently taken some photographs of the moon by means of his large reflecting telescope. They show the enlightened portions of the lunar disc with remarkable distinctness as it appears for several days before and after the new moon, from the thinnest crescent to the entrance of the moon on her gibbous phase. The numerous lunar mountains, with their summits brilliantly illuminated by the sun, stand out with astonishing clearness of outline from the surrounding darkness of the adjacent country. We think we are correct in stating that this is the first instance of lunar photography effectually executed in this colony.1
Further to his astronomical photography, he is credited with capturing a partial eclipse of the sun during the December of 1890. The Observer reported of Adamson’s difficulties with exposure,
On December 12, 1890, during the partial eclipse of the sun, Mr Adamson, of Angas Street, city, obtained several photographs of the phenomenon at its different stages. As it was impossible to tell exactly the time of the centre of the contact he took one a minute before the predicted time and another three minutes later. The first happened to be a minute and a half prior to the real centre, and from that one Mr Adamson has made a photographic enlargement with a diameter of six and a half inches … The photographs came out very clear and sharp, and distinctly showed the irregularities of the lunar surface against the sun’s disc. A great deal of difficulty was experienced in obtaining the pictures on account of the great heat and light to be contended against. While experimenting a few days beforehand in the first attempt with the telescope in its usual condition, though using the slowest plates with instantaneous exposure, the gelatine was entirely burnt off the plate. After various trials Mr Adamson was obliged to remove the silver from a large speculum (he having a duplicate), leaving nothing but the glass to reflect, and reducing the aperture of the telescope to seven inches. In this way he obtained the desired result.2
1Observer, 7 April 1888, cited in Noye, R.J. (2007) Dictionary of South Australian Photography 1845-1915, Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide. CD-ROM.
2Observer, 7 March 1891, cited in Noye, R.J. (2007) Dictionary of South Australian Photography 1845-1915, Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide. CD-ROM.
- Writers:
-
Nerina_Dunt
- Date written:
- 2013
- Last updated:
- 2013
