"wannabe" photographer by quietpurplehaze

"wannabe" photographer

Not only does Ray take me on some lovely photographic outings but ..........
He's having a look through a window in Mompesson House at an upside-down image of Salisbury Cathedral across the Close.
This wooden box camera is similar to one used by Barbara Townsend, who lived here until her death at the age of 96 in 1939. She was first a painter and became interested in photography in 1870.
The tripod used here was not Barbara's but was made by Gandolfi (est. 1885) the last manufacturers of wooden cameras and tripods in England.
She was an 'early adopter'! Actually there's a very early photo in the V&A that looks as though it could have been taken today - it's weird because the people look so real. We are used to thinking that Victorians were rather grainy!
March 20th, 2014  
great shot Hazel. I like the composition.
March 20th, 2014  
Gosh, imagine if we had to cart all that around.
March 21st, 2014  
Love the nostalgia of the old camera.
March 21st, 2014  
That is fascinating, Hazel! I would have liked to have met her!
March 21st, 2014  
Great shot very interesting
March 21st, 2014  
So very cool!
March 21st, 2014  
Isn't it amazing how cameras have changed since then?
March 21st, 2014  
Hazel, you are a veritable fountain of interesting knowledge. Barbara Townsend would have been a person of such interest, knowledge & accomplishment. A room with a view ! Rather special.
March 21st, 2014  
@wanabe

Those were exactly my first thoughts!
March 21st, 2014  
@wanabe

Oh I see you are a wanabe, Meredith!!!
March 21st, 2014  
very intresting
March 21st, 2014  
Great composition and interesting shot!
March 21st, 2014  
Wow, so interesting!
March 21st, 2014  
What a fascinating experience. Love this find.
March 21st, 2014  
Sounds like a great place to visit you may have to sign Ray up to 365;0)
March 21st, 2014  
I love old photographic kit! Great shot
March 21st, 2014  
I can't imagine lugging a camera like that around. But that is what made Ansel Adams' photos so spectacular. The negative was so big you didn't lose anything in enlargement.
March 21st, 2014  
@claireuk

Claire - I just know that Ray's reply to that idea would just not be printable in public!!!!
March 21st, 2014  
Nice shot Hazel, and lovely to hear about the history, thank you.
March 21st, 2014  
Gosh, how interesting Hazel! This is a super shot of Ray absorbed in the camera. At first I thought Ray had taken up photography old-style!
March 21st, 2014  
good shot Hazel and a fabulous house
March 21st, 2014  
Cool camera, but I don't like carrying mine because it's to big at times :-)
March 21st, 2014  
Nice shot and pic of Ray. Interesting story Since the start of photography
and even before it (they use a camera obscura) , painters has use it

Thanks dear Hazel for the last 4 fav.`s . They are all thankful appreciated
March 21st, 2014  
Lovely composition, he looks as if he knows what he's doing !
March 21st, 2014  
@pyrrhula

Oh gosh - didn't know I had been that generous! (Just kidding - all well deserved, Ferry!)
March 21st, 2014  
Nicely captured, Hazel. Congratulations on your Top Twenty :-)
March 21st, 2014  
Wonderful portrait.
March 22nd, 2014  
Interesting - and surprised you are allowed to touch it.
March 22nd, 2014  
I just want to keep looking at this one, so much going on.
March 22nd, 2014  
Wonderful information and a great shot Hazel.
March 22nd, 2014  
Thank you for the history around this shot, great capture of Ray
March 22nd, 2014  
A wonderful capture and lovely story!
March 23rd, 2014  
Oh this is great. I love reading up on the history of cameras.
March 23rd, 2014  
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