The Birth of Amateur Photography

by Lynn U. Watson

It's so easy to take for granted the phone in your pocket or purse that takes amazing high-resoultion photos you see and share instantly. In my lifetime (and probably many of yours) you recall loading the film in a Brownie, an Instamtic, an SLR or another camera. 

You took the pictures, advancing the film for reach new image. You rerrolled the film (be sure you didn't open the camera before you did), removed the roll and took it to be developed. 

Most places sent the roll off for processing and printing. You prayed they turned out well after waiting a week or two to get them back. 

While researching late nineteenth century photography for my forthcoming book, Planted Promises, I discovered little round prints like these. They measure 2 5/8" in diameter. Considering this was the first of its kind, the details visible in such a small format surprised me. 

Until the late 19th century the only photography available was from professionals and out of reach for most people. In 1888 George Eastman, a bank clerk in Rochester, New York introduced the Kodak No. 1 Camera. He advertised the simple hand held device with the slogan "You press the button. We do the rest." 

Eastman created the name Kodak, because the letter "K" was strong and memorable. It was the first model in the brand new roll-film camera line, thus adding the #1 to its name.

The Kodak #1 arrived with a roll of film for 100 images. You took the pictures and sent the whole package, camera with the film still inside, back to the Eastman Company. The camera was reloaded and returned to the owner while the first roll was being processed. The cost of the #1 was $25 and included the processing, making images from the first roll 25 cents each. The next rolls were $2 per roll including the processing.  

A family's initial investment paid off well for the future of capturing their special moments. A photography craze was born. Within ten years of its introduction 1.5 million cameras were in the hands of consumers. Made-up words like kodaking, kodakers, kodakery entered the American vocabulary. 

The camera arrived with instructions for use, along with tips like how far away to be from the subject for getting a good image. Amateur photography was born. As this leisure hobby grew, photography clubs formed.

Those clubs advocated for photography to be recognized as fine art. Members exchanged ideas and techniques. Educational resources and workshops helped members grow in their photography skills. 

While my Kodak #1 research provided a great idea for some of the clues in my upcoming Christian Multigenerational Historical Fiction, Planted Promises, I'm very happy to have my iPhone handy at all times.

 

Motor-cycle-riding ballet dancer, Lyydi Matthieson, desires to trust God. Her belief that she’s a total reject threatens that trust. Then she stumbles upon a key that leads to a mystery quest 140 years, three families, and six generations in the making. Following the clues, her grandmother challenges Lyydi and her husband Benj to dream a new dream, reinvent themselves, and watch where God leads.

A host of lively characters and a nod to Nancy Drew will keep you turning pages in an attempt to tie all the threads together. 

Lynn's journey is a testament to creativity and compassion. Nurtured by her grandmother's love of needlework, Lynn built a custom clothing business and created, The Lynn'n Butterfly Collection (x-stitch designs) with her husband Steve. Her creative spirit extended beyond fabric. Lynn became a certified reflexologist opening Footsteps in Eden, a haven where she uses touch therapy and prayer to relax her clients. Today, Lynn, Steve, and their feline overlord, Jasmine, call Bartlett, Tennessee home. You’ll find Lynn there, Stepping through Time Stitching Stories of Faith.

Pre-Order of Planted Promises available late October/early November. To be alerted when pre-order is live, join Lynn's Facebook Group: Coffee, Kuchen, and Good Books.

NOTE: All black and white & sepia images are from Internet and are Free to Share and Use. Image of girl with camera is from Pixabay.com