I like looking back at historical photographs - particularly those that depict some element of life in past times. One of my favourite collections of old images is at http://www.masters-of-photography.com/ (see the link in the bar on the right). There are images from the earliest photographers, such as Fox Talbot, right up to comparatively modern works. Whenever I see a name in a magazine - "See works by Lee Friedlander", for example, you can go to the site and 9 times out of 10, they have a selection of images by that particular master. It's a great way in to a basic understanding of master works.
Open Door - William Fox Talbot (1844)
With the early masters, I find it fascinating how artistically proficient some of the photos are. Not only were they technical pioneers, they established guidelines and "rules" for future photographers. The image above wouldn't look out of place in a modern amateur photography magazine - so it is all the more remarkable that it was taken 165 years ago.
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