>>>I haven't been able to find this information documented anywhere, I just wanted to check. Were large format cameras (8 X 10) used in the first portrait studios? If not, what format cameras were used in the early (1920s, 1930s, 1940s) portrait studios? Were 8 X 10s the norm for the early Hollywood photographers such as Clarence Bull, George Hurrell and Laszlo Willinger?>>> Yes and no. I worked for Bill Shipler Photo for many years as a printer (in later years, the sole printer) in our custom lab and I also managed a rather large archive of negatives going back to 1890. I have printed portraits of famous Utah people that were shot on 8x10 as well as 11 x 14 and if a few cases, much larger. These cameras typically used glass plates, moving towards nitrate negatives, then modern support materials that were far less dangerous; CN will burn. Many formats were used in the time period you are interested in. for example, Cirkit and Banquet cameras were widely used. I have used our one-shot cameras for making color separation negatives. There were lots of cameras used in the good old days. I have printed almost every known format, from Minox to 16 x 20 glass plates and Cirkit. Bob ... Get more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com |
