George D. Torok's catalogue essay begins:
During its first half century, Photography slowly emerged as an art form, as photographers manipulated technology to more creatively produce images. Early American photographers were among the most creative, experimenting with equipment and processes, surpassing the best work of Europeans and contributing to an artistic tradition which culminated in the pictorialist movement of the early 20th century. Early Western New York photographers participated in this tradition and contributed to the growth, professionalization, and recognition of photography. They played an active role in organizing the national photographic community, promoting the photographic arts. Many of their works were displayed in national exhibitions, and several Western New York photographers achieved international recognition. Because so few of the millions of images produced in the 19th century have been preserved, and still fewer are identified or well documented, many Western New York photographers and their accomplishments have been overlooked. This exhibition and catalogue examine these hidden years, the first years that Western New York photographers made valuable contributions to the art of photography.