 Mammoth Cave |
was the location of the second-oldest cave photograph, taken by
Charles Waldack, a Belgian photographer who emigrated to Cincinnati, in 1866.
Waldack made 42 photographs using a large wet-plate stereographic camera, magnesium flares, and reflectors.
Magnesium flares are ribbons of magnesium that burn with a brilliant light, so all pictures were long shutter exposures.
He worked with two assistants, and Mat Branford guided them and helped carry their heavy equipment from place to place within the cave.
Mat and Nicholas Branford, former slaves, worked as early guides at Mammoth Cave.
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