BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: New Answers

Showing Proofs

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July 12, 2007

Early cameras created a rectangular picture because originally our media was viewed as an extension of hand drawn art. The inventors of photography followed the classic dimensions based on the golden section discovered by Leonardo Fibonacci of Pisa in the 13th century. This was a mathematical number sequence equivalent to many shapes found in nature. Thus popular photographic print sizes mimicked the height to width ratios found in artist paintings as evident in the 4x5 – 8x10 – 16x20 etc.

At first early cameras used films that exactly matched print sizes. As film improved as to resolution and fineness of grain, smaller cameras became possible and darkroom enlargers made possible large prints made by projection. The German Rollieflex pioneered 2 1/4 x 2 1/4 film in the 1930’s. This square format remains popular as it is the favorite medium format of the professional photographer. The chief advantage of the square is one can shoot a horizontal or a vertical scene without a need to orient (rotate) the camera.

Modern proofs from professional photographers are likely printed from negatives (in this case square format) using automated printers set to expose and print the whole negative i.e. without cropping (machine prints). The results are likely a square print size 5 x 5. In North America, these printers are loaded with long roll paper 250 or 500 feet lengths. Paper widths available are 3 ½ - 4 – 5 – 8 -10 inches. Most common for the square negatives is the use of 5 inch wide paper thus a 5x5 results.

Alan Marcus
ammarcus@earthlink.net

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July 12, 2007

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July 13, 2007

Professional photographers gravitated towards SLR’s (single lens reflex) cameras because this design sports a most excellent viewfinder. The 35mm camera was born in the beginning of the 20th century because of the availability of surplus movie film leftover after a “shoot”. The film is a roll 35mm wide. The image size is tiny only 24x36mm the image ratio 1.5 (length divided by height). The 35mm in the SLR design took off in the 1950’s with the introduction of the Nikon model F.

Professionals take in more revenue when they sell larger prints. The 35mm film format was substandard in this regard. Initially the films would not consistently yield high quality enlargements. This changed as films evolved into the fine grain materials available today.

Because of film limitations, larger format cameras were most popular with the working professional. As an apprentice photographer in the 50’s, I shot weddings using a 4x5 inch film press camera. The film consisted of stiff sheets, two films to a holder. My gadget bag was weighted down with two dozen holders. I still have calluses on my fingers from the heavy camera and on my shoulder from the gadget bag and electronic flash battery pack.

In 1948 Victor Hasselblad of Sweden introduced a medium format camera. The Hasseldad remains popular today little changed from the original. The film it uses is 120 size (medium format). This film twice the 35mm width i.e. 70mm. The image produced is 2 ¼ x 2 ¼ inches (60x60 mm). The image is 4x larger than the 35mm, thus it supports enlargements with ease.

Likely the 5x5 inch proof “machine prints” were exposed using a Hasselbald or perhaps a RollieFlex, a twin lens viewfinder operated mainly at waist level that also shoots square 2 ¼ x 2 ¼ images.

Alan Marcus
ammarcus@earthlink.net

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July 13, 2007

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July 13, 2007

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July 14, 2007