For this semester I decided to make my portfolio on animals, and out of the many artists out there, the one that peaked my interests the most is one named Harry Pointer. Who is Harry Pointer? Pointer was born at Marcham, Berkshire on 12 November 1822, where he was born into a family of agricultural laborers. From a young age, Pointer didn’t see much importance in being a laborer and rather aspired to work in the elite army to protect the Queen of England. Later, on 11th August 1849, Harry Pointer married Rosa Myra Drummond at St Andrew's Church, Clewer, near Windsor. After their marriage, Rosa and Harry had two children. Alongside his wife, Pointer pursued his artistic career and settled and worked in photographic studio at 15 Bloomsbury Place, Brighton. He found his calling in the burgeoning field of photography during the mid-19th century, a time of great innovation and experimentation in the medium. Pointer's career began like many of his contemporaries', as he established himself as a portrait photographer, capturing images of individuals and families against the backdrop of Victorian England. However, with his inventive spirit, it would soon lead him down a unique path were he would eventually make him a household name.

It was during this time that Pointer stumbled upon what would become his greatest legacy: cats. In an era marked by the rise of pet culture and a growing fascination with the animal kingdom, Pointer recognized the untapped potential of feline subjects in photography. Cats, with their enigmatic expressions and playful demeanor, provided the perfect canvas for Pointer's creative vision. In the 1870s, Harry Pointer became famous for a series of photographs called carte-de-visite which featured his feline friends. He produced a series of cartes de visite featuring cats in various poses and scenarios. When he first started photographing cat, he took pictures of them perfroming ordinary activities. But he got the idea to take pictures of cats by setting them in different positions that would evoke humor or make the pictures more appealing. These small, affordable photographic prints quickly became a sensation, captivating the hearts and imaginations of people across Britain and beyond. From kittens dressed in miniature costumes to cats engaged in comical antics, Pointer's cat cartes de visite offered a whimsical glimpse into the world of these beloved animals.

What set Pointer's work apart was not just his subject matter, but his innovative techniques and artistic vision. With a keen understanding of composition and lighting, he skillfully posed his feline models, capturing their personalities and quirks with remarkable precision. He would later photograph canines as well, as seen in some of his works. His attention to detail and ability to convey emotion through his photographs elevated his work beyond mere novelty, earning him widespread commendation among both critics and the public. Cultural Impact and Enduring Legacy: Harry Pointer's cat cartes de visite became iconic symbols of Victorian culture, transcending the boundaries of class and status.  Pointer's influence extended far beyond his lifetime, shaping the course of animal photography and inspiring countless photographers and artists in the years to come.

Although Harry Pointer wasn’t the very first artist to create an animal portrait, he was the one who turned pet photography into a full-blown profession. A main reason to why people likely did not create pet pictures for a long time was due to the animal’s movements that were sudden or too quick for cameras at the time to capture. Eventually there were people who managed to successfully capture pictures of animals. As technology became more advanced it allowed greater flexibility and manipulation of the feature we now know as shutter speed. In my experience it is not easy to photograph animals, pets, or wildlife. I have learned that younger creatures like puppies are very active and can end up usually as blurry photos. In older animals however, it is much simpler to get a portrait of an adult cat or dog. Harry Pointer was one of those people who took the challenge to take pictures of animals and his success in animal portraits spread. This would eventually lead to other artists would soon follow his example as well.

Rosa Myra Pointer passed away in Brighton in the year 1888. While specific details regarding the cause of her death are not readily available, it is known that she died at approximately the age of 71. Given the limited medical knowledge and record-keeping of the time, the exact circumstances leading to her passing remain unclear. However, her death marked the end of a partnership that had been instrumental in shaping Harry Pointer's artistic career. Harry Pointer, on the other hand, met his demise just a few months after the loss of his beloved wife. He died at his residence, located at 20 Bloomsbury Place in Brighton, on January 4th, 1889. The cause of his death is not explicitly documented, but it occurred at the age of 66. Given the proximity of his passing to that of Rosa Myra, it's plausible to speculate that the grief and emotional strain of losing his life partner may have contributed to Harry Pointer's decline in health. The deaths of both Harry and Rosa Myra Pointer marked the end of an era for Victorian photography. Despite the lack of detailed records regarding the circumstances of their deaths, their passing left an indelible mark on the artistic community of Brighton and beyond. Today, their legacies live on through the continued appreciation of Harry Pointer's pioneering work in photography, which has been preserved in archives and collections around the world. Harry Pointer's pioneering spirit and creative genius forever changed the landscape of photography, proving that even the most unlikely subjects such as cats, could captivate audiences and leave an impression on history. His legacy serves as a testament to the power of imagination and the enduring appeal of the animal kingdom, reminding us that sometimes, the most extraordinary moments can be found in the simplest of subjects and in unexpected places.