Ode to old, analogue photography, featuring old brass lenses, bellows cameras's, darkroom gear and old paper photographs's.
The objects are old to very old. The lenses in the foreground are at least a hundred years old. Applies also to the printed black-and-white portraits in the background.
The lenses belonged to my grandfather.
The front one was made by a German manufacturer in Rathenow, and called Rapid Aplanat No. 3, with largest aperture of f 6, and smallest of f 384. So not much light got through there. It belongs to a plate camera, with the photographer disappearing under a black cloth to focus the image on the frosted glass, and then removing the light-sensitive glass plate from the cassette and inserting it into the camera. The exposure was achieved by removing the black cap on the lens and putting it back on after a few moments.
The black bellows camera's are from the 1950s. A roll film goes in there for pictures of 6 by 6 cm. Then you can take 12 shots.
The old photography relies on chemistry. A glass plate or roll film has to be developed into a negative in a chemical liquid. The negative is passed through to photographic paper. The paper again has to be developed into a visible (black-and-white) photograph using chemicals.
                                
 
                                I am a professional photographer and have been active for many years, since childhood and I am self-taught.. Read more…
 
                         Old light beacon at harbour at former inland seaJan Willem de Groot Photography
Old light beacon at harbour at former inland seaJan Willem de Groot Photography Wooden houseboat in low sun mirroring in waterJan Willem de Groot Photography
Wooden houseboat in low sun mirroring in waterJan Willem de Groot Photography Summer evening cafes terraces French village , blue hour, vintage coloursJan Willem de Groot Photography
Summer evening cafes terraces French village , blue hour, vintage coloursJan Willem de Groot Photography The illuminated Ferris wheel has a magisterial look against the black skyJan Willem de Groot Photography
The illuminated Ferris wheel has a magisterial look against the black skyJan Willem de Groot Photography Sunset Ostend boulevard with arcadeJan Willem de Groot Photography
Sunset Ostend boulevard with arcadeJan Willem de Groot Photography Large steel mooring posts on ship at quay with backlightingJan Willem de Groot Photography
Large steel mooring posts on ship at quay with backlightingJan Willem de Groot Photography Train station with beautiful vertical and spatial lightingJan Willem de Groot Photography
Train station with beautiful vertical and spatial lightingJan Willem de Groot Photography Dark rocky coast England rugged seawater sunsetJan Willem de Groot Photography
Dark rocky coast England rugged seawater sunsetJan Willem de Groot Photography It froze hard, white frost on branches above an icy floorJan Willem de Groot Photography
It froze hard, white frost on branches above an icy floorJan Willem de Groot Photography Steel black spiral staircase with grid treads spirals around pivot pointJan Willem de Groot Photography
Steel black spiral staircase with grid treads spirals around pivot pointJan Willem de Groot Photography Lake poles mirror last light in bluish waterJan Willem de Groot Photography
Lake poles mirror last light in bluish waterJan Willem de Groot Photography After sunset, the sky is blue, the water dark blue, lights draw vertical stripesJan Willem de Groot Photography
After sunset, the sky is blue, the water dark blue, lights draw vertical stripesJan Willem de Groot Photography Sun low over village, trees reflect in canalJan Willem de Groot Photography
Sun low over village, trees reflect in canalJan Willem de Groot Photography The fine feeling of peace and quiet hangs in the street, lanterns illuminate the red facadesJan Willem de Groot Photography
The fine feeling of peace and quiet hangs in the street, lanterns illuminate the red facadesJan Willem de Groot Photography As if there is fire behind the houses, sun sets, wild clouds, many coloursJan Willem de Groot Photography
As if there is fire behind the houses, sun sets, wild clouds, many coloursJan Willem de Groot Photography A wooden path zigzags through an open forest in vintage colorsJan Willem de Groot Photography
A wooden path zigzags through an open forest in vintage colorsJan Willem de Groot Photography Warm dune sand reflects in a winter lake like an old neg filmJan Willem de Groot Photography
Warm dune sand reflects in a winter lake like an old neg filmJan Willem de Groot Photography Red flowering stalks along water during golden hourJan Willem de Groot Photography
Red flowering stalks along water during golden hourJan Willem de Groot Photography Seven pointed pyramids in sunny coloured gardenJan Willem de Groot Photography
Seven pointed pyramids in sunny coloured gardenJan Willem de Groot Photography Bridge over the Thür (Vosges) with retro colours like a vintage postcardJan Willem de Groot Photography
Bridge over the Thür (Vosges) with retro colours like a vintage postcardJan Willem de Groot Photography