“Kodakery” with a No. 1 Pocket Kodak Junior c. 1921

This Studio 2 Class (PH2300 at College of Dupage, taught by Peter Bosy) assignment was “Specular/Diffused” and the goal was to take a series of images where the camera and object did not move, but the lighting changed to bring out different details in the object. I chose to use a No. 1 Pocket Kodak Junior c. 1921 for my object. The first try had camera movement and focus issues. But the second session worked!

The images below are a composite of seven different lighting images, plus seven different colored gels images.Using masks on Photoshop, the best characteristics of each image were selected to make the composite image.

I found the manual on Orphan Cameras, courtesy of M. Butkus, and I was pleased to make a donation so I could have all the information needed to actually use this camera. A friend gave me two rolls of 120 50 ISO black and white film and she will help me develop them. Figuring out the exposures will be fun, as this camera does not use our current terms or options. ;-).

I can choose 1/25, 1/50. T or B for shutter speeds. I can choose 1, 2, 3, or 4 for my lens opening. And focusing is movement of the lens on the camera bed, with a very stiff bellow. But I’m excited to try and will share any success I have on a future blog post.

A few other technical notes: The manual talks about “Kodakery” and reads like a photography textbook. This camera was designed to put cameras into the hands of the people, a marketing plan of Kodak that we are all thankful for today. But Kodak had to teach the people how to use this camera! The manual mentions “Meniscus Achromatic” which is a lens configuration that reduces aberration and increase aperture, and according to an internet search, will likely produce blurry images. There were a number of “Pocket Junior” models, and this one seems to be an early one. By 1927, the Pocket Junior were using the f-stops we are familiar with today.

Can you tell I had fun with this assignment?