| Introduction | |
| 1 | The Prehistory of photography |
| Literary predictions of photography | |
| 2 | Charles-François Tiphaigne de la Roche: Giphantie (1760) |
| Drawing and optical devices | |
| 3 | Drawing and optical devices |
| 4 | Introduction to the Claude Glass or Black Mirror |
| 5 | A history of the camera obscura |
| Light-sensitive chemicals | |
| 6 | Introduction to light-sensitive materials |
| 7 | An Account of a method of copying Paintings upon glass, and of making Profiles, by the agency of Light upon Nitrate of Silver. Invented by T. WEDGWOOD, ESQ. With Observations by H. DAVY. (1802) |
| Peepshows | |
| 8 | Introduction to peepshows |
| Magic lanterns | |
| 9 | History of the magic lantern |
| 10 | Magic lantern shows and showmen |
| Alternative views | |
| 11 | Spooner's Protean Views |
| Joseph Nicéphore Niépce and Louis Jacques Mandé Daguerre | |
| 12 | Joseph Nicéphore Niépce: Portraits |
| 13 | Joseph Nicéphore Niépce: Cardinal d'Amboise |
| 14 | Joseph Nicéphore Niépce: View from the Window at Le Gras |
| Introduction | |
| 1 | The Prehistory of photography |
| Literary predictions of photography | |
| 2 | Charles-François Tiphaigne de la Roche: Giphantie (1760) |
| Drawing and optical devices | |
| 3 | Drawing and optical devices |
| 4 | Introduction to the Claude Glass or Black Mirror |
| 5 | A history of the camera obscura |
| Light-sensitive chemicals | |
| 6 | Introduction to light-sensitive materials |
| 7 | An Account of a method of copying Paintings upon glass, and of making Profiles, by the agency of Light upon Nitrate of Silver. Invented by T. WEDGWOOD, ESQ. With Observations by H. DAVY. (1802) |
| Peepshows | |
| 8 | Introduction to peepshows |
| Magic lanterns | |
| 9 | History of the magic lantern |
| 10 | Magic lantern shows and showmen |
| Alternative views | |
| 11 | Spooner's Protean Views |
| Joseph Nicéphore Niépce and Louis Jacques Mandé Daguerre | |
| 12 | Joseph Nicéphore Niépce: Portraits |
| 13 | Joseph Nicéphore Niépce: Cardinal d'Amboise |
| 14 | Joseph Nicéphore Niépce: View from the Window at Le Gras |
