Judge — May 17, 1890 — page 16: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page satirizes the 1890s craze of amateur photography, made newly accessible by portable cameras like Kodak's. The central cartoon depicts a man in an "antiphoto gown" (armor-like suit) heading to a cabinet meeting, humorously suggesting photographers are so invasive he needs protection. The surrounding vignettes mock photography enthusiasts: one shows a man who's "been taking 'flash lights'—didn't know they were loaded" (implying flash powder explosions were common mishaps); another warns "when you see a man with a smile and big chest, look out; he has a camera" (mocking the self-satisfied amateur). Other panels show builders and ordinary people caught up in the photography craze. The left panel depicts photo development steps. The satire targets how the new technology created an annoying subculture of amateur "camera fiends" obsessed with photographing everything and everyone, whether subjects consented or not.