Chapter 2: Pre-Digital Photography Technology

Image By: Tim Takahashi
Source: http://photo.net/equipment/large-format/speed-graphic

Speed graphic cameras, specifically the Graflex speed graphic, was the industry standard from the 1930s until around the 1950s. The term “speed graphic” was used to distinguish any “press” style camera. The Speed Graphic was produced by Graflex, who was out of Rochester, New York.

            Speed Graphics have ceased production ever since 1973, but many regard this camera as America’s first and last great camera. The Speed Graphic was produced for general-purpose commercial photography. It forever changed the efficiency of taking photographs. The Speed Graphic may look complicated, but it is one of the most simple and flexible cameras ever made. Graflex introduced the concept of having two shutters on the Speed Graphic, thus providing versatility.

            The Speed Graphic effected photojournalism by creating an industry standard camera that was efficient and versatile enough to let almost anyone become a photographer, to being an important part of a press journalists career.

            Taking a digital photograph on my phone was an extremely simple process. I opened up my camera app, focused the camera by touching the screen, and took the photograph by touching the screen again. It took maybe ten seconds of my time. Comparing this to a Speed Graphic or any type of photography where you must develop a picture, the convenience and efficiency is unparalleled. With the Speed Graphic you would need the camera, reflector and background lighting, and a darkroom. The process of taking the actual photograph was much longer, and developing the photograph added more time onto the process. Yet the speed graphics innovation for the times was considered extremely efficient with all the features it offered.

            In the end, every way of taking a photograph all reaches the same goal, which is to share your photograph to the world. No matter how you take it, its goal is to connect to somebody.

Below is the picture I took for this assignment: A soccer goal at the local park near my house, where I grew up learning how to play the game I love. This picture has a lot of meaning to me and I hope you all observe and feel the connection too.

Article Source: http://graflex.org/speed-graphic/