BOOK: The Modern Way in Picture Making

I love photography books. Especially odd little finds. I got this book from eBay for $7.00. It was published for the Kodak company in 1907. It is neat to read up on the latest photographic information, processes, recipes and gear from a century ago. Gum-bichromate, camera description, rundown on the Uniform System for aperture designation (U.S. 4, U. S. 8, and so on). Light being measured with light sensitive papers such as Kodak's Solio paper. Velox prints. An article by Alfred Stieglitz 'Simplicity In Composition' in all of his eccentric glory. I just love old photography books.

"The British Journal - Photographic Almanac" an annual as far as I can see, is to be recommended, too. I found a 1940 edition, not so old perhaps, but many techniques were at their height then. The advertisements are worth the price alone: Kodak plates! Bromoil supplies!

The supplementary portfolio of photographs are made by photogravure.

Regards - Ross (keeping the old things -- including myself -- alive)

I believe that I have a copy of that book as well - very neat reading. Ross has a great point too by the way. I used to collect Photography Annuals from the heyday of such publications, and they are chock full of fascinating glimpses of the past - wonderful ads, great pictures made by totally unknown (today) people, and great articles. Lots of fun to read. Hmm.. I haven't had a 'new' one of those for some time now, I'll be back after a bit of shopping!

- Randy

Read a cool line in the book today. Something about loading the rolled film into the camera is now made simpler than thread a needle. Even simpler for men than for women.

Man, times have changed.

And I still can't thread a needle worth a damn without bunching the thread repeatedly before success.

Lick it first. The thread, not the film.

- R