Alim Khan (1880-1944), Emir of Bukhara, Uzbekistan (formerly part of the Russian Empire), 1911. (Photo by Sergey Prokudin-Gorsky/Galerie Bilderwelt/Getty Images)

A lesser known part of our archive collection is a number of autochromes and early color photographs. For those not in the know, autochrome was an early color process pioneered by the Lumiere brothers dating back to the very early 20^th century. They provide a fascinating window on the world long before we knew color photography was being established (if you want to know more, click here).

In this selection of images, you’ll find examples of autochromes that include views of Europe, Ural peasants from 1910, iron miners from Ekaterinburg and much more  Along with the autochrome process, Mikhaylovich Prokudin-Gorsky captured the world in color with similar pioneering techniques, that were also remarkable for the time (a few examples of his work is also included in the selection above).

All of these images are extraordinary pictures indeed and proving very much that “the past” was not just shot in black and white. Do take a look if you get the chance.

Tags: archive photography, autochromes, Getty Images, Lumiere

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