Overview:
This book provides a comprehensive overview of photography in the late 19th century, offering practical advice for beginners as well as more experienced photographers. The book is divided into various chapters, each covering a specific aspect of photography, from basic techniques like developing plates and choosing lenses to more advanced concepts like pictorial photography, architectural photography, and carbon printing.
The book is full of practical tips and detailed explanations, making it an invaluable resource for anyone interested in learning about the history of photography and the processes used in the late 1800s. It offers insights into the challenges and advancements of the time, highlighting the importance of experimentation, careful observation, and a deep understanding of photographic materials and processes.
Key Findings:
- Importance of careful observation and experimentation: The authors consistently emphasize the importance of learning through observation, practice, and experimentation. They stress that there are no universal rules, but rather a need to adapt techniques to specific situations and individual preferences.
- Emphasis on quality over speed: While speed and convenience are discussed, the authors often prioritize high-quality results over quick shortcuts. This is particularly true in the context of pictorial photography and carbon printing, where careful craftsmanship and attention to detail are essential.
- Development of photographic technology: The book reflects the rapid advancement of photographic technology during this period, particularly in terms of lenses, plates, and developers. The authors discuss the benefits of newer technologies like anastigmat lenses and rapid plates, while also acknowledging the enduring value of traditional methods.
- Importance of understanding photographic materials: The authors stress the need to understand the properties of photographic materials, including plates, paper, developers, and toners, to achieve predictable and high-quality results.
Learning:
- Plate Development: The reader will learn the different types of developers and their components (reducer, accelerator, restrainer, sulphite). They will learn the importance of controlling development based on the exposure of the plate, identifying over-exposure and under-exposure, and adjusting the developer accordingly. The reader will also understand how to remove defects like fog and green fog.
- Lenses: The reader will understand the workings of lenses and learn about different types, their functions, and limitations. They will learn how to measure focal length and aperture and understand the importance of these factors in determining sharpness and depth of field.
- Pictorial Photography: The reader will develop an understanding of the key principles of pictorial photography, including the importance of composition, line, tone, and atmosphere. They will learn how to use these principles to create evocative and meaningful images that transcend simple documentation.
- Platinotype Printing: The reader will learn how to print using platinotype paper, understanding the importance of careful handling, controlling exposure, and using the appropriate developer. They will also learn about the different types of platinotype paper and how to achieve different effects like sepia toning.
- Carbon Printing: The reader will learn about the carbon process and how it differs from other printing methods. They will gain knowledge about preparing tissue, sensitizing it, and printing under a negative. The reader will understand the single and double transfer processes, and learn how to develop prints on various supports.
Historical Context:
The text was written in 1898, a time of significant technological advancements in photography. The authors discuss new developments like anastigmat lenses and rapid plates, which were revolutionizing the field. However, traditional processes like collodion printing and carbon printing were still widely practiced and valued for their unique qualities. The book reflects the ongoing evolution of photography, from a scientific pursuit to a more artistic medium.
Facts:
- Latent Image: Light does not directly create a visible image on a plate, it creates a latent image that must be developed to become visible.
- Developing Agents: Pyrogallic acid, ortol, metol, and hydroquinone are the most commonly used developers.
- Bromide as a Restrainer: Potassium bromide is used to slow down the action of the developer and prevent it from affecting unexposed areas of the plate, leading to fog.
- Sulphite in Developers: Sulphite prevents the developer from oxidizing and turning brown, which can stain the plate.
- Ferrous Oxalate: This developer produces a pure grey-black color and is particularly useful for copying line engravings.
- Halation: This effect, which causes a halo around bright objects, is caused by light passing through the film and reflecting back onto the plate. It can be prevented by coating the back of the plate with a light-absorbing substance like caramel.
- Depth of Field: Depth of field, the range of distances in focus, is increased by using a lens with a shorter focal length or reducing the aperture.
- Distortion: Single lenses can produce barrel-shaped or pincushion distortion depending on the position of the diaphragm.
- Pictorial Photography: A pictorial photograph aims to create emotion and evoke feelings rather than simply document reality.
- Importance of Atmosphere: Atmosphere, the subtle veiling of objects caused by light scattering in the air, plays a crucial role in creating a sense of depth and mood in pictorial photographs.
- Carbon Tissue: The carbon process uses tissue coated with pigmented gelatine and bichromate. Light makes the gelatine insoluble, creating a positive image.
- Transfer Paper: Transfer paper is used in carbon printing to transfer the insoluble gelatine image to a permanent support.
- Double Transfer: A double transfer process is used in carbon printing to correct the image reversal caused by the process.
Statistics:
- Exposure for Alpine Photography: On a fine day in the Alps at an altitude of 6,000 feet, a landscape with fleecy clouds would require an exposure of 1/25th of a second at f/16.
- Light Transmission through Atmosphere: The amount of light reaching the observer decreases as altitude increases. At sea level, the sun at 5° above the horizon has a photographic brightness of about 1,000 candles, compared to 800,000 candles when nearly overhead.
- Camera Extension: In architectural photography, it’s recommended to use a camera with a front extension that allows for a rise of at least one-third the longest side of the plate.
- Lens Aperture and Speed: A lens with an aperture of f/16 is four times faster than a lens with an aperture of f/32.
- Exposure for Architectural Photography: A general view of a cathedral choir using a Barnet extra rapid plate would require an exposure of 10 minutes at the largest aperture.
- Printing Time for Platinotype: Platinotype paper is more sensitive to light than silver print-out papers, requiring less printing time.
- Printing Time for Carbon: Carbon tissue typically requires about one-third the printing time of gelatino-chloride silver paper.
- Exposure for Bromide Printing: Using Barnet extra rapid bromide paper, the recommended exposure is about 4 seconds at a distance of 18 inches from a No. 5 Bray’s gas burner.
- Washing Time for Bromide Prints: Bromide prints should be thoroughly washed in several changes of water for at least two hours.
- Percentage of Pigment in Carbon Tissue: The proportion of pigment in carbon tissue can vary significantly, from 2.5% to 25%, depending on the pigment and the desired effect.
Terms:
- Actinic: Refers to light that causes a chemical reaction, particularly in photographic materials.
- Developer: A chemical solution that converts a latent image on a photographic material into a visible image.
- Accelerator: The component of a developer that speeds up its action.
- Restrainer: The component of a developer that slows down its action and prevents fogging.
- Sulphite: A chemical added to developers to prevent oxidation and staining.
- Halation: A halo-like effect around bright objects in a photograph.
- Depth of Field: The range of distances in focus in a photograph.
- Distortion: A change in the shape of objects in a photograph due to the lens.
- Vignetting: Gradually fading the edges of a photograph to create a softer effect.
- Tone: The relative lightness or darkness of an image.
Examples:
- Alpine Photography: The author describes the use of an ice axe as a support for hand cameras in challenging mountain conditions.
- Portraiture: The author emphasizes the importance of putting the sitter at ease and choosing an appropriate background for the portrait.
- Pictorial Photography: The author uses examples of successful pictorial photographs to illustrate the key principles of composition, line, and tone.
- Platinotype Printing: The author provides detailed instructions for developing platinotype prints, emphasizing the importance of controlling exposure and development temperature.
- Carbon Printing: The author explains the process of preparing tissue, sensitizing it, and printing under a negative. They also provide detailed instructions for the single and double transfer processes.
- Bromide Printing: The author describes various methods of printing on bromide paper, including printing from dense or thin negatives, using masks and discs, and vignettes.
Conclusion:
This book is a valuable resource for understanding the history and practice of photography in the late 19th century. It highlights the importance of technical knowledge, careful observation, and creative vision. The authors emphasize the need for constant experimentation and learning, and the book itself serves as a testament to the enduring value of these principles in the pursuit of photographic excellence. While the specific techniques and materials discussed may have evolved since the book was written, the core principles of photography remain relevant. This book offers a fascinating glimpse into the past and serves as a reminder of the ongoing evolution of this dynamic art form.