Chronography

Marey's motion studies contributed to the development of the motion picture by creating a technique known as chronophotography, which allowed multiple successive images to overlap and create the illusion of kinetic motion. To achieve this, Marey shot his photos with a photographic gun that allowed him to shoot twelve frames a second. This technique was unique in itself because most images of action were separate free-frames, but Marey was able to construct a device with revolving photographic plates that portrayed the overlap of motion. His work is so interesting because he was fascinated by the anatomical movement of humans and animals, and he used his art to study unique features like flight and galloping. Since Marey was a qualified doctor and physiologist, he focused more on the science behind the motion, which allowed his work to help influence not only contemporary artists, but also scientific discoveries.