Color Photos of Russia (1909-1912) by Sergey Prokudin-Gorsky

The Big Picture has posted a collection of wonderful color photos taken between 1909 and 1912 by Sergey Prokudin-Gorsky, best known for his pioneering work in color photography. The series was commissioned by Tsar Nicholas II.

A unique camera fitted with red green and blue filters captured images in quick succession and were later combined to produce the effect. The quality of some seem almost contemporary and answer the childhood question “were things black and white in the olden days”

More links and information:

http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/empire/

http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/prok/