Photography Basics

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PHOTO: RON PESHA
When you know some photography basics you'll have a better chance of capturing the vitality of your subjects.

“Doing more with less” implies using technology only when it truly enriches our lives without requiring that we pay too high a cost. Most people — including those of us who are always on the lookout for sensible alternatives to today’s often wasteful ways of getting things done — enjoy photographs. Especially pictures of children growing up. But, unfortunately, modern “popular” photo techniques too often seem geared only to the well-heeled gadgeteer, and planned obsolescence results in ever-changing film sizes, flashbulb styles, and “improved” products designed to insure sales.

If you know some photography basics, it’s still possible to buy an old camera at a “junk” store and take relatively inexpensive but good pictures. This article will tell you how.

Box Cameras and Film

The old-fashioned “box” cameras abound at many secondhand shops and garage sales, but — before you buy one — you’ll have to find out what film size it takes. Roll film is still available in 127, 120, and 620 … but 116 and 616 — as well as most other sizes that might be specified for cameras you run across — may be hard to locate.

Then, too, it’s best to look for a real box camera … not one with bellows. To check out your find, just look for a flash of light through the lens when you click the shutter. When you find a camera with a shutter that works, you can be reasonably certain the unit is sound. If it accepts an available film size, buy it … provided the price is low enough to suit you, that is.

  • Published on Mar 1, 1981
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