A Vermont Photographer Inspired by Winter
January 28, 2010
If you were asked to describe a snowflake, what would you say?
Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley, who lived in Jericho, Vermont, was fascinated by snowflakes. A small collection of his 19th century photographs of snowflakes went on sale last week at the American Antiques Show in New York. Bentley was the first person to capture a snowflake with his camera, and a collection of his groundbreaking images are on permanent exhibition at the Jericho Historical Society’s Snowflake Bentley Museum.
Bentley, who died in 1931, discovered that no two snowflakes are alike. He described snowflakes as miracles of beauty and that every crystal was a masterpiece of design. When a snowflake melted, he said, that design was forever lost.
Even though I appreciate the beauty of snow, I’ve never really thought about it that way. But for the next two months, I’m going to try.
Fresh snowflakes falling in my backyard, a few miles from Bentley’s hometown of Jericho.
Susan
Posted at 18:16h, 28 JanuaryI’ve seen these photos before, and they’re stunning, especially considering when they were taken! Still leaves me in awe that each one is individual. Nice post.
Kritter Keeper
Posted at 19:11h, 28 Januarywow, those are really neat! i hope that the design isn’t lost forever…maybe they come back again! who knows…lovely view of the backyard!
Steve Borichevsky
Posted at 00:01h, 30 JanuaryI was watching the snow last week and was thinking about Snowflake Bentley.
Erica Houskeeper
Posted at 14:17h, 30 JanuaryHi Susan – I know, it amazes me to think when those photos were taken. They really are so beautiful.
Hi Kritter – It is strange to think that the design is lost forever, but I guess it’s true since no two are alike. He really was a pioneer and took such beautiful photos.
Hi Steve — Thinking about Bentley kind of makes you appreciate the snow, doesn’t it? Even when it’s -6 outside!
elvira pajarola
Posted at 22:27h, 31 January…..Nature shows its most artistic creations…..once more..; I love snowflakes and I remember a game when we were kids: we took grandpa’s big lens outside in the snow and checked on the smowflakes beautiful shapes…!
Wonderful; your information!!
The garden under the white, warm winterblanket …Marvellous!!!!!!!
beautiful!!
have a wonderful sunday!!!!!
ciao ciao ed un abbraccio elvira
Hélène Glehen
Posted at 08:48h, 07 FebruaryWhat a beautiful post.
When thinking when those photos were taken and the quality of the work I must say they are masterworks and Photoshop was not existing !
I have always wanted to visit Vermont, I don’t know why but I am pleased to have found your blog and hope that I will visit your beautiful region in a near future.