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HOWES, CHRIS: : To Photograph DARKNESS: THE HISTORY OF UNDERGROUND AND FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY

UK.GLOUCESTER,GLOS.ALAN SUTTON PUBLISHING,1989.

ISBN 086299649X.

UK,Qrto HB+dw/dj,1st edn.FINE/FINE.No owner inscrptn but price-clip to dw/dj.Bright,crisp, clean,glossy laminated,wrap-around contemporary b/w photographic illustrated dw/dj with white+ yellow lettering; with negligible shelf-wear or creasing to edges and corners - no nicks or tears present.Top+fore-edges bright and clean; contents bright,tight,clean,solid and sound - pristine - no dog-ear reading creases to any pages' corners,appears unread - apart from my own collation.Bright,crisp,clean,sharp-cornered, publisher's original plain black cloth boards with bright,crisp,blocked gilt letters to spine and immaculate plain white endpapers.UK,Qrto HB+ dw/dj,1st edn,v-xxipp+1-330pp [paginated] includes contents list/table,illus list/table,a preface,an introduction,11 chapters,profuse contemporary b/w photographs,engravings+ drawings,surveys and maps interspersed throughout the text and the book,appendices (1-6 - includes important dates chronology,a glossary,dating Cave photographs,chemical names, units of measurement,notes & references)), picture credits and an index; plus [unpaginated] half-title+title pages. This book traces the history of underground photography,and the techniques used,from the first pictures taken in the catacombs beneath Paris to the pyramids of Egypt,from American caves to Cornish tin mines,and underground locations throughout the world. The opening chapters are concerned with the earliest experiments to record images without the aid of the sun in the 1860s.Innovative photographers have since used limelight,Bengal fire,arc lights,and even magnesium mixed with gunpowder to make the first crude flashpowder as well as specially designed electronic flashguns and powder burners giving a searing 2m flame.The story is continued to underwater and cine photography and the techniques used in cave photography today. 'To Photograph Darkness' is a fascinating and highly readable account of the use of artificial light and the difficulties the first underground photographers had to overcome - explosions,the boredom of models who would wander away half-way through a long exposure,falling rocks, fumes and dampness,and the superstitions and disbelief with which their results were often confronted. Ten years in the writing,it is the only book of its kind (then 1989) and is based on primary sources of information throughout.The extensive use of quotations retains the immediacy of the challenge that both amateur and professional cameramen had to overcome. The book is illustrated with 160 engravings, line drawings and potographs,many of which have never been published before.If your interest is the underground world of caves and mines,or the development of artificial light and photographic history,'To Photograph Darkness' contains something of relevance and interest for you. Fully referenced and indexed,it can also be used to identify and track down rare photographs and photographers worldwide.This volume is bound to become a major source for research and the authoritative book on the subject. Please contact seller,because of the weight - just over 1Kg unpackaged - and the value of this item for correct,insured shipping/P+p quotes - particularly ALL overseas buyers - BEFORE ordering through the order page! ** N.B. ALL buyers please note,stocks' actual shipping/P+p costs are adjusted and any difference is refunded,after order's receipt and before the order's despatch,especially if the item(s) are offered either P+p included/FREE. ** N.B. US/Canada customers please be aware: Standard AIRMAIL postage from UK to these destinations can now cost more than the price of the book! If speed is not of the essence,then Economy rate is recommended - at approx. anything from a 1/3rd to 1/2 of the standard AIR quote/rate - sometimes arriving sooner than the 42 days - but not always.

UK,Qrto HB+dw/dj,1st edn.
Not SIGNED.

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