If Eadweard Muybridge wasn't the greatest American photographer he was by far the most interesting. Although quite versatile - his photographs of Yosemite are among the finest ever shot of that location - it was the stop motion photographs of animal locomotion he undertook as an 1872 commission from Leyland Stanford that won him his greatest recognition. It would not be overstating his accomplishments in this genre to name him the true inventor of motion pictures.
Muybridge's personal life was, if anything, more fascinating and certainly more sensational than his photographic career. Apparently, he led the life of a normal well adjusted businessman and was in no way remarkable until in 1860 he suffered a severe head injury in a Texas stagecoach accident that completely altered his personality. Thereafter he became increasing eccentric but also, in taking up photography, revealed incredible artistic ability. In 1874 he shot to death his wife's lover but was acquitted at his murder trial on the grounds of justifiable homicide.
A new documentary film, Exposing Muybridge, has now been released and has won the best documentary screenplay award at this year's Writers Guild Awards after having received favorable reviews at a several film festivals. It should be a worthwhile watch for those wishing to learn more of this groundbreaking photographer.
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