Clark & Moore, Merced River, Yosemite

1867–1873

“Helios’ Flying Studio” and 400 stereographs

Working as “Helios”, he converted a lightweight two-wheel carriage into a portable darkroom and dubbed it “Helios’ Flying Studio”; Helios produced over 400 different stereograph cards, mostly views of San Francisco and its surroundings, bought by tourists, proud citizens and collectors.

March – July 1871

West Coast lighthouses aboard the tender Shubrick

In 1871 the United States Lighthouse Board hired Muybridge to photograph the lighthouses of the American West Coast; from March to July he travelled aboard the Lighthouse Tender Shubrick.

20 May 1871

Marries 21-year-old Flora Shallcross Stone

The 41-year-old Muybridge married 21-year-old divorcée Flora Shallcross Stone (née Downs); the differences in their tastes were put down to the age gap, and his habit of leaving home for days, weeks or months on projects did not change after the marriage.

1872

Leland Stanford hires Muybridge

Leland Stanford, former governor of California, businessman and race-horse owner, hired Muybridge for a portfolio of his mansion and possessions, including his racehorse Occident, and wanted a proper picture of the horse at full speed. Stories of a $25,000 bet have no evidence behind them, but Stanford is estimated to have spent about $50,000 funding the investigations.

1873

The Modoc War: a commission from the US Army

In 1873 the US Army commissioned Muybridge to photograph the “Modoc War” dispute with the Modoc tribe in northern California and Oregon; a number of the photographs were carefully staged and posed for maximum effect, despite the long exposures required.

17 October 1874

Shoots Harry Larkyns at Calistoga

On 17 October 1874 Muybridge went to Calistoga and shot Larkyns at point-blank range, saying he had a message for him from his wife; Larkyns died that night, and Muybridge was arrested without protest and put in the Napa jail.