Current
creative scholarship project
focus on history
Background
Late in 2018 I decided to do something to respond to the fact that we're rapidly losing some amazing information that's locked in the brains of the photographic community. I've been meeting with people and also talking to friends and associates around the world who are all frankly very old and don't have the ability to share what they know. We need to preserve this information.
Mission Statement
This project’s mission is to document and freely share the insights of individuals with unique involvement in the world of photography, photographic related products and associated ephemera.
Solution
Record and produce short video show-and-tells to be archived with easy online access for future viewing.
Process
The unofficial remaining brain trust of the photographic community resides in Rochester, NY. They are also the last of their generation so it makes sense to start here. Developing a list of candidates and program content has been initiated with other members of the Rochester Photographic Historical Society. In addition I am involving fellow members in the Eastman Museum Technology Committee to identify source material and items of interest. Further, there are a number of photo industry influencers around the country and other parts who are willing to participate.
Status
Although the project had a good start, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has paused a number of activities. Initial recordings are in the process of being edited, but most in-Person activity is on hold. We continue to discuss ways to work around this and contribute to the project but it is slow, and we don't want to add risk to the health of participants, most of whom are of a very advanced age.
Support
This is a not-for-profit project and we're not soliciting but we have already received some corporate sponsorship in the form of equipment being used to record and produce videos. So we want to thank B&H Photo Video, MAC Group, Sony USA and X-RITE for their generosity and recognition of the importance of this project.
the stories
camera quality evaluation
Featuring Bob Shanebrook Runtime 3:48
Join Bob, a former Eastman Kodak Executive and Worldwide Product-Line Manager as he discusses the requirements and creation of systems to support the highest level of camera evaluation of it's time.
The Rochester Optical and Camera Company 1899 - 1903
Featuring Bruce Tyo Runtime 23:27
Tune in to see Bruce, an Industrial Photographer and Historical Camera Specialist as he presents the story about the growth of the camera industry, during the turn of the last century in Rochester, New York.
The birth of
eastman kodak t-max film
Featuring Bob Shanebrook Runtime 3:15
Join Bob, a former Eastman Kodak Executive and Worldwide Product-Line Manager as he explains the thoughts behind the initiation and development of the complete line of new technology B&W films.
In production
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Kodak Elite Papers
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B&W Product Line
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Anatomy of Film (Cassette, Roll and Ready-Load)
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Kodak Portra Color Films
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Kodak's Role for Photographers
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Film for Classics
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The Lesser Known Rochester Camera Companies
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Preservation and Conservation of Camera Collections
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Adventures with Large Format and Autochrome
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Apollo Lunar Close-up Surface Camera
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Day in the Life Project (Spain)
and more ...