I am fascinated with old
cameras. I don’t know if it is because I feel that black and white
photography is becoming extinct, or if I simply value the art of its
craftsmanship. What I do know is that I am driven by the anticipation of
discovering if any of them still work. Old cameras differ by the uniqueness
of their limitations in relation to shutter speed, focal length, depth of
field, camera model and type of film. All aspects of a camera have an effect
on the quality of a photograph in which aesthetically could be utilized as an
advantage. And although old cameras could never produce sharp images like a
digital camera, it does not matter because strong photography is not dependent
upon the camera used, but upon the photographer.
Jessie Luke
“The Little Kodaker”, 2009
1957-1964 Starflex
A Tribute to
George Eastman
In the late 1800s cameras were used only by
professional photographers. Photography equipment was expensive, heavy and
difficult to use. George Eastman, founder of the Kodak Company,
believed that the process of photography could be simplified. He
figured there were many other people who would also enjoy taking pictures for
fun, if only it weren’t so difficult, and so he set about inventing film and
cameras that were safe and easy to use. Eastman’s Company offered a
developing and printing service, which did away with the rest of the process.
It was George Eastman advertising slogan that said it all: “You press the
button. We do the rest.”
Many of George
Eastman’s cameras advertisements feature children and women as photographers,
and because I photographed the images in this series using eight old Kodak
cameras, I chose to portray a little girl holding a Brownie camera to emphasize
the concept that Eastman’s cameras were so simple to operate, even a child
could do it.
Cameras
Used For This Work Series
1904
No 2 BrownieModel B (Camera Box)
1924-1933
No 2 BrownieModel
F (Camera Box)
1919
No 2 BrownieModel E (Camera Box)
1930-1933
No 2 Rainbow Hawkeye Model C
1934-1941
Baby
Brownie
1957-1964
Brownie Starflex
1949-1961
Brownie
Hawkeye Flash Model
1960-1963
Brownie Starmite II
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