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cover shot of Schaaf’s book on the works of Fox Talbot

Toronto. Photography was announced in January 1839 by two very different men as two very different processes, both based on the reaction of silver salts to light. And both were  successful because a means was discovered to make the resulting images permanent.

The few weeks later announced process by Fox Talbot while of poorer resolution introduced the standard positive/negative concept used throughout the glass plate and film era (Talbot’s process actually predated Daguerre’s but was kept private until Daguerre’s electrifying news).

In issue 26-3, editor Bob Lansdale printed a number of book reviews in a lengthy column titled “The Christmas Book Shelf“. In the case of Larry J Schaaf’s October 2000 book titled “The Photographic Art of William Henry Fox Talbot“, Bob wrote the review himself, beginning, “When ever Larry J. Schaaf has written an article or made a public statement, I’ve learned to listen intently to what he has to say. He is a thoroughly knowledgeable photohistorian, resident in Baltimore, Maryland, and a research Professor at the University of Glasgow, Scotland.

“He has written extensively on the early history of photography and published several books on William Henry Fox Talbot including Out of the Shadows: Herschel, Talbot & the Invention of Photography, and Records of the Dawn of Photography: Talbot’s Notebooks.

“Rumours have praised his newest book long before it reached the market. Well researched in content and beauty, it has been worth the wait. Drawn from public and private collections throughout the world, 100 of Talbot’s calotype images, positives and negatives, have been faithfully reproduced in the actual size of the originals and in all the subtle hues that comprised his early works.

“They range from Talbot’s Lilliputian pre-1839 negatives (made in “mousetrap” cameras) through botanical photograms to mid-1840s calotypes that demonstrate a sure command of the new art. Each plate is discussed in detail, drawing on important new research conducted by the author.

“Many of the photographs are little known and are reproduced for the first time in this volume. Thus the book becomes an important archive for those who may never have the pleasure to witness firsthand these rare and fragile works.” …

Bob’s review continues in issue 26-3. Members read it in the pdf file for that issue on the free members-only DVD/stick. Joining is easy – just follow ‘membership’ above and at right. Any questions? Email them to member@phsc.ca.