The History of Photography: As Seen Through the Spira Collection

About this book

The founder of Spiratone a company that once supplied photographic accessories S.F. (Fred) Spira is also well known for his extensive collection of photographic equipment. This volume which includes Spiras writings and is coauthored by his son Jonathan and Lothrop a former president of the American Photographic Historical Society provides a history of photographic processes with a focus on consumer-oriented picture taking. It includes thorough discussions on film and camera history color photography photo reproduction stereo photography and motion pictures and an especially good chapter on digital photography. Photo illustrations are taken from the more than 20 000 objects in Spiras collection. A chapter on photography and humor seems out of place but in general the book supplies understandable explanations of photographic devices and methods and is a good supplement to more general histories such as Naomi Rosenblums A World History of Photography.