Crawley

eclarke · Jan 30, 2007

Hi All,
I have turned 56 years old and it seems over the last two years I have become obsessed with photo chemistry and may have more interest in it than actually making photographs, at least when I cannot go out and photograph. I am interested in obtaining any of Geoffrey Crawley's writings and would appreciate any advice to that end..Thanks..Evan Clarke

reellis67 · Jan 30, 2007

He was the editor of the British Journal of Photography for a number of years, you might want to look for old issues that have his articles in them. I don't know that he wrote a lot of books - the only one I can think of was is one I saw a long time ago on Nikon Cameras...

- Randy

Ian Grant · Jan 30, 2007

Look for late 1960's and 1970's BJP Annuals, Crawley was the editor and wrote a number of articles about developers.

I'd happily scan / photocopy some articles for you but my boooks are a continent away.

Ian

Alan Johnson · Jan 30, 2007

The British Library in London www.bl.uk has a complete set of old BJP's.
For Geoffrey Crawley's original FX articles you need from 1960 p651-3,668-70,682-4,694-6,708-710.From 1961 p9-12,p14-16,p38-49.
For the FX-37 article 3-27-96 p24-25.
If you can find a library nearby with sufficient clout it may be possible to get a set of photocopies.
He now writes for Amateur Photographer magazine.

eclarke · Jan 30, 2007

Alan Johnson said:
The British Library in London www.bl.uk has a complete set of old BJP's.
For Geoffrey Crawley's original FX articles you need from 1960 p651-3,668-70,682-4,694-6,708-710.From 1961 p9-12,p14-16,p38-49.
For the FX-37 article 3-27-96 p24-25.
If you can find a library nearby with sufficient clout it may be possible to get a set of photocopies.
He now writes for Amateur Photographer magazine.

Thank You Alan,
That's the lead I was looking for. I have been trying to find these old copies online to no avail..Evan Clarke

George Collier · Jan 30, 2007

You could also try contacting Lenswork at Dead Link Removed. Bill Jay is a monthly columnist with the periodical and was involved with British Photo publications throughout the 70's, and maybe later, I believe. He likely has some contacts that may help you.

Woolliscroft · Jan 31, 2007

He still writes regularly for "Amateur Photographer".

David.

Murray Kelly · Jan 31, 2007

Woolliscroft said:
He still writes regularly for "Amateur Photographer".

David.

I have here the original papers as published. I was very keen as a student!
One of the series is a photocopy. I let my sub. lapse.
I am not sure if it is possible to post generally as copyright still applies.
Maybe I can use the dread digital to copy the pages for you.
Murray

eclarke · Jan 31, 2007

Murray Kelly said:
I have here the original papers as published. I was very keen as a student!
One of the series is a photocopy. I let my sub. lapse.
I am not sure if it is possible to post generally as copyright still applies.
Maybe I can use the dread digital to copy the pages for you.
Murray

Wow, Murray, I would do almost anything to get a chance to read that 1960-61 stuff..Evan CLarke

Jed Freudenthal · Jan 31, 2007

eclarke said:
Hi All,
I have turned 56 years old and it seems over the last two years I have become obsessed with photo chemistry and may have more interest in it than actually making photographs, at least when I cannot go out and photograph. I am interested in obtaining any of Geoffrey Crawley's writings and would appreciate any advice to that end..Thanks..Evan Clarke

I would rather have a look at the numerous review texts in the English and German language. An example in the english language is : The theory of the photographic process' 4 th ed ed. T.H. James. You will find many references in this review. In the German language there are texts, just focused on photochemistry.

Jed

Photo Engineer · Jan 31, 2007

IIRC, Bill Troop had lunch with him last week or thereabouts. Bill is in London for a bit and met up with Crawley there. He is quite spry according to Bill.

Bill answers notes at his web site address. You might try contacting Bill. Bill is also a wealth of information and a very nice person. He may be able to help you.

PE

eclarke · Jan 31, 2007

Hi Jed, Thanks for the input. I have the Baker but right now I am just sort of fascinated with Crawley for some reason.

P.E. Thanks, this looks like a great lead. It will probably never happen but I would like to see Crawley"s chemistry articles arranged as a book..Thanks..Evan Clarke

Keith Tapscott. · Jan 31, 2007

Geoffrey Crawley was the technical editor of the `British Journal Of Photography` for many years and is currently the photo-science consultant for the `Amateur Photographer` magazine and was one of the best independent photographic research scientist in the late 50`s onwards with his reknowned FX series of B&W film developers.
I was wondering if there was ever a biography or published interview about him? Maybe some one would consider this as a future project.

Peter Black · Jan 31, 2007

eclarke said:
Hi All,
I have turned 56 years old and it seems over the last two years I have become obsessed with photo chemistry and may have more interest in it than actually making photographs, at least when I cannot go out and photograph. I am interested in obtaining any of Geoffrey Crawley's writings and would appreciate any advice to that end..Thanks..Evan Clarke

Evan, as others have pointed out, Geoffrey Crawley writes every week for Amateur Photographer magazine in the UK. This also includes answering questions in the Q&A section of the mag, so I don't think it would be unreasonable for you to ask them what would be the best place to find his articles on the chemistry he has produced. You may be rejected or have to wait for an answer, but it would certainly be worth an email to the address below.

apanswers@ipcmedia.com

Murray Kelly · Feb 1, 2007

eclarke said:
Wow, Murray, I would do almost anything to get a chance to read that 1960-61 stuff..Evan CLarke

There is quite a bit of it! It went over abt.6 issues and was usually 4 pages or so.
I will try out with the dig camera and if that isn't a success I have the scanner which allegedly makes .pdf files. I have never used that function.
Did I say I was in Australia? Electronic transmission would obviously be the 1st choice.
Cheers.

eclarke · Feb 1, 2007

Murray Kelly said:
There is quite a bit of it! It went over abt.6 issues and was usually 4 pages or so.
I will try out with the dig camera and if that isn't a success I have the scanner which allegedly makes .pdf files. I have never used that function.
Did I say I was in Australia? Electronic transmission would obviously be the 1st choice.
Cheers.

Muray, you are very kind to indulge me like this. There are a few places who offer the annuals but I have not received any response in my attempts to buy them. Incisive Media is the company who owns BJP now and they have no archives.. It seems this info could be lost someday..Thanks..Evan

Photo Engineer · Feb 1, 2007

No one cares much about analog photography and therefore the entire field is in danger of vanishing totally. If production of any product were to cease, and if no one made a concerted effort to preserve the formulas (emulsion, coating or processing), then they would be forever lost.

PE

Roger Hicks · Feb 1, 2007

eclarke said:
Hi All,
I have turned 56 years old and it seems over the last two years I have become obsessed with photo chemistry and may have more interest in it than actually making photographs, at least when I cannot go out and photograph. I am interested in obtaining any of Geoffrey Crawley's writings and would appreciate any advice to that end..Thanks..Evan Clarke

Dear Evan,

I've just called Geoffrey (1630 Zulu time on Thursday 1st) and suggested that he looks at this forum. He said he would.

I told him he might need to buy a new hat when he sees how well he's regarded.

Cheers,

R.

pauldc · Feb 1, 2007

I think Geoffrey Crawley's writing in Amateur Photographer are by far the high point of the magazine and always the pages I turn to first.

I would like to add my voice to the appreciations for his work and especially his FX developers - long live Aculux!!

eclarke · Feb 1, 2007

pauldc said:
I think Geoffrey Crawley's writing in Amateur Photographer are by far the high point of the magazine and always the pages I turn to first.

I would like to add my voice to the appreciations for his work and especially his FX developers - long live Aculux!!

I have been uxing FX37 with Tmax 100 and am very happy with the negatives. That's what sparked me to pursue his writings, it's nothing I need to do but I am just keenly interested to read it...Evan Clarke

eclarke · Feb 1, 2007

Photo Engineer said:
No one cares much about analog photography and therefore the entire field is in danger of vanishing totally. If production of any product were to cease, and if no one made a concerted effort to preserve the formulas (emulsion, coating or processing), then they would be forever lost.

PE

I have been following your emulsion threads with high interest and have been obtaining all the books on emulsion chemistry I can find because I will NEVER do digital again. If I have to make plates and paper, I will. Do you have a short list of two or three recommended books??..Thanks..Evan CLarke

Photo Engineer · Feb 1, 2007

eclarke said:
I have been following your emulsion threads with high interest and have been obtaining all the books on emulsion chemistry I can find because I will NEVER do digital again. If I have to make plates and paper, I will. Do you have a short list of two or three recommended books??..Thanks..Evan CLarke

Here are some authors of texts on photographic science.

Mees and James - photo science

Evans, Hanson and Brewer - color systems engineering

Eaton - photo chemistry

Haist - photo science

Baker - emulsion making

Wall - emulsion making

And in addition,

Reed and Jones - emulsion coating and making

PE

Roger Hicks · Feb 1, 2007

Photo Engineer said:
Here are some authors of texts on photographic science.

Mees and James - photo science

Evans, Hanson and Brewer - color systems engineering

Eaton - photo chemistry

Haist - photo science

Baker - emulsion making

Wall - emulsion making

And in addition,

Reed and Jones - emulsion coating and making

PE

...and Glafkides

cheers,

R.

Helen B · Feb 1, 2007

After much searching I’ve found my copies of the 1961 articles, but not the 1960 ones. I have Jan 6 pp 9 - 12; Jan 13 pp 13 – 16; Jan 27 pp 38 – 41 & 49; and a subsequent letter about the use of potassium carbonate. They aren’t in great shape, and may not scan very well. Send me a PM if interested. I’d be grateful for copies of the 1960 articles, but if they aren’t available I can get them from the library here in NYC.

Best,
Helen

Photo Engineer · Feb 1, 2007

Well, there have been no definitive emulsion making textbooks since the 1940s AFAIK. The books are mainly on photographic science and engineering.

But, I could have listed about a dozen more books as well as the ones above. I have all of the books above and then some. I will try to compile a complete list and publish it someday here.

PE

Crawley

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency