Isambard Kingdom Brunel

Isambard Kingdom Brunel, 1857, by Robert Howlett

I feel this photograph is very important for the research of this project, as it is believed to be the first environmental portrait ever taken, back in 1857 by Robert Howlett. The photograph shows the British engineer Brunel standing in front of the large launching chains of his ship, the Great Eastern.

Denotations:

• Brunel wears suit but with dirty marks all over
• Dirty hard working boots
• Wears a cravat and top hat with waistcoat and pocket watch
• Smoking a cigar
• Standing in front of large chains
• Industrial location
• Hands in pockets
• Looking away from the camera with blank expression

Connotations:

• The idea that Brunel is wearing a suit suggests wealth and class, as in the 1850's only those with money could afford to wear a suit everyday - the fact that the suit is dirty and boots however, suggests hard working labourer involved in his business of work
• The cravat, waistcoat and top hat further suggest that Brunel is wealthy, as he can afford to dress smartly and get his clothes dirty as well - the pocket watch also implies wealth and could also suggest the idea of punctuality 
• Cigars were also expensive in the 1850's, and only smoked by those that could afford them - again idea of wealth
• The industrial location emphasises Brunel's involvement with his engineering, and perhaps also suggests that he has had to work his way up in his career from the lower class to become wealthy - as we know the large chains behind him belong to his ship the Great Eastern, and the fact that Brunel is standing in front of them may suggest pride and again involvement within his work
• By placing his hands in his pockets, Brunel doesn't seem at ease or happy about his photograph being taken, and appears slightly awkward/in a rush.
• Looking away from the camera, Brunel again appears to be slightly frustrated/annoyed about his photograph being taken. No eye contact can suggest unconfident and creates a barrier between the photographer and the subject, as no connection or confrontation is being made between them - suggests he has better things to do and gives as sense of distance

The repetitive background of the image makes Brunel stand out within the frame, as he is central and breaks up the pattern of the chains. His personality is shown quite well in this image, and he shows a kind of arrogance about him by the way his is standing and looking away from the camera. In the 1850's the shutter speeds on a camera would be very long and slow, and this photograph would of taken longer than 1 minute to take, therefore we see Brunel's impatience and eagerness to get back into his work and engineering as he would of had to pose for so long.