was using still sits in my home along with many Cabinet Card
poses of his family and of others who's names are lost in history.
At first glance one would think how lucky he was to have the
beautiful window to light the area. Then when you look closer,
you see the bottom of the huge backdrop painting he is using.
The window is so realistic it had me fooled for a long time.
This is a good photo to see and study the poses he created for
the ladies in each of the four corners of the ornate frame. First he
photographed the lady. Then the negative was shaved to leave
only her torso which somehow he gave the appearance of
marble. This negative was then combined with another of the
pedestal, the combination was then used to make the final
photograph. Hence "Lady on the Pedestal"
poses of his family and of others who's names are lost in history.
At first glance one would think how lucky he was to have the
beautiful window to light the area. Then when you look closer,
you see the bottom of the huge backdrop painting he is using.
The window is so realistic it had me fooled for a long time.
This is a good photo to see and study the poses he created for
the ladies in each of the four corners of the ornate frame. First he
photographed the lady. Then the negative was shaved to leave
only her torso which somehow he gave the appearance of
marble. This negative was then combined with another of the
pedestal, the combination was then used to make the final
photograph. Hence "Lady on the Pedestal"
Throughout Beks for your viewing pleasure
you will find the photography of B. F. Oliver,
a local turn of the century photographic artist
and genius. These prints have to be seen to
believed. Beks is honored to display them as
well as to offer them for sale.
you will find the photography of B. F. Oliver,
a local turn of the century photographic artist
and genius. These prints have to be seen to
believed. Beks is honored to display them as
well as to offer them for sale.
To learn more about B. F. Oliver and his collection, visit the website Oliver Photo Collection
A different photograph will periodically be featured on this page.
"Through The Looking Glass" A Self Portrait
In a "Looking Glass" surrounded by his
"Cabinet Card" photos we see B.F. Oliver
posing himself in a mirror for a self
portrait. Today the large studio camera he
"Cabinet Card" photos we see B.F. Oliver
posing himself in a mirror for a self
portrait. Today the large studio camera he
Each of the children pictured along the sides of the frame are posed in flower gardens with backdrops
to give the appearance of being right out of a book. -Grandson, Richard Oliver Snelson
to give the appearance of being right out of a book. -Grandson, Richard Oliver Snelson
Click for full sized image.
More about B. F. Oliver...
The photographs taken by B.F. Oliver appear to have been taken primarily in the time period, 1886 to
1903, while he maintained studios, first in Fulton, Missouri, and then beginning in 1893 in Jefferson
City, Missouri. It was these glass-plate negatives that were taken with the 8" X 10" box camera with
bellows type focusing shown in the photograph above. This group of photos appear to have taken in
the Central to Southern Callaway County and Jefferson City, Missouri area and, due to their age, it is
almost impossible to determine the names of the subjects of most of his portraits and character
studies. Many of his photographs that represented new and novel photographic techniques or were
promotional or advertizing in nature were taken using himself and other members of his immediate
family who are very recognizable to family members of today.
It was the photographs of special events of his time that B.F. Oliver was most noted for. Since he was
the principal photographer in the Jefferson City area he was most frequently called upon to
photograph historic events of his time for both local and state government. These events included
opening of the first bridge crossing the Missouri River between Callaway County and Jefferson City,
close of the steamboat ferry service across the Missouri River between Callaway County and Jefferson
City, Missouri River flood of 1903 taken from the dome of the Missouri State Capitol building, and the
Governor's Flower Parade which was held annually in Jefferson City before the days of automobiles.
Photos of these events by B.F. Oliver appeared in many major local and statewide publications of his
time.
Undoubtedly, his true love was his photos of the amazing character studies of individuals, for which he
is least known. These character studies included a Missouri State Prison convict, a young black male
that was just simply proud to be a part of the proceedings, a group of young ladies at a local institution
of higher learning, three young black boys shooting dice, and his photos of young gentlemen in a
hunting camp of its day. It is in these photos that the real artistic nature of B.F. Oliver shows through in
his ability to capture the true nature and spirit of the people that he photographed and share it with the
world.
The photographs of B.F. Oliver have captured the attention and imagination of a number of our
contemporaries and oliverphotocolleciton.com has taken orders from a number of galleries, internet
coffee houses, historical societies, and from two Bass-Pro Shops where they will be enlarged for
major wall decor in the new Branson, Missouri store and the Pearl, Mississippi store under
construction.
The photographs taken by B.F. Oliver appear to have been taken primarily in the time period, 1886 to
1903, while he maintained studios, first in Fulton, Missouri, and then beginning in 1893 in Jefferson
City, Missouri. It was these glass-plate negatives that were taken with the 8" X 10" box camera with
bellows type focusing shown in the photograph above. This group of photos appear to have taken in
the Central to Southern Callaway County and Jefferson City, Missouri area and, due to their age, it is
almost impossible to determine the names of the subjects of most of his portraits and character
studies. Many of his photographs that represented new and novel photographic techniques or were
promotional or advertizing in nature were taken using himself and other members of his immediate
family who are very recognizable to family members of today.
It was the photographs of special events of his time that B.F. Oliver was most noted for. Since he was
the principal photographer in the Jefferson City area he was most frequently called upon to
photograph historic events of his time for both local and state government. These events included
opening of the first bridge crossing the Missouri River between Callaway County and Jefferson City,
close of the steamboat ferry service across the Missouri River between Callaway County and Jefferson
City, Missouri River flood of 1903 taken from the dome of the Missouri State Capitol building, and the
Governor's Flower Parade which was held annually in Jefferson City before the days of automobiles.
Photos of these events by B.F. Oliver appeared in many major local and statewide publications of his
time.
Undoubtedly, his true love was his photos of the amazing character studies of individuals, for which he
is least known. These character studies included a Missouri State Prison convict, a young black male
that was just simply proud to be a part of the proceedings, a group of young ladies at a local institution
of higher learning, three young black boys shooting dice, and his photos of young gentlemen in a
hunting camp of its day. It is in these photos that the real artistic nature of B.F. Oliver shows through in
his ability to capture the true nature and spirit of the people that he photographed and share it with the
world.
The photographs of B.F. Oliver have captured the attention and imagination of a number of our
contemporaries and oliverphotocolleciton.com has taken orders from a number of galleries, internet
coffee houses, historical societies, and from two Bass-Pro Shops where they will be enlarged for
major wall decor in the new Branson, Missouri store and the Pearl, Mississippi store under
construction.
| All images on this page are copyrighted and used by permission. |
Some Quotes about The Oliver Photo Collection:
o A true artist, working far ahead for his time..
o An exhibit that brings the late 1800's to life for us today..
o Outstanding clarity, unbelievable detail in his photos..
o A true artist, working far ahead for his time..
o An exhibit that brings the late 1800's to life for us today..
o Outstanding clarity, unbelievable detail in his photos..