Cindy Lynch
July 2026 - Kodak Camera and Books
Original
About the Image(s)
I got the camera and glasses from an antique store. The old books were hand-me-downs. I was trying to think of a way to work the camera into a still life and came up either this. I put a foam board behind it and used natural light. In post processing, I used curve layers to lighten and darken where I needed and Camera Raw for clarity. At didn't like the books being separated from the Camera, so I copied the portion with the camera and pasted it to slightly overlap the edges. Settings:f/18, ISO 400, 58mm, 2.5 sec exposure time and using a tripod.
6 comments posted
I like this clean and simple still life with vintage artifacts. Everything is in sharp focus in the soft natural light. I do feel something is missing though. I'm not sure what. Maybe another item in front of the books. The details in the camera grabs my attention, but the pages of the stacked books seem empty by comparison. Maybe the glasses can be leaning against or in front of the stacked books to see the lens and frames more directly. Posted: 07/01/2026 21:52:54
A point well taken. I agree. Posted: 07/02/2026 14:43:23
Cool old camara. Nice to see one in what appears to be great condition (even if it doesn't work). I like that you overlapped the books and camera. I like the detail on the camera, reflection, and bright but not distracting highlights.
But, I am not sure I get the connection between camera and books. If that were the camera manual, or a book on photography, or even a photography magazine (or a stack of Nat Geo?) I think it would be stronger. Film? Negatives? Posted: 07/02/2026 04:35:52
But, I am not sure I get the connection between camera and books. If that were the camera manual, or a book on photography, or even a photography magazine (or a stack of Nat Geo?) I think it would be stronger. Film? Negatives? Posted: 07/02/2026 04:35:52
Yes, I think you are right. Posted: 07/02/2026 14:43:43
I like this photo. It's sharp, has nice contrast, I like the reflection of the book on the bottom of the table, and I think the books, glasses, and camera combine to give you the idea that you have a window back in time, and you have taken a photo of someone's desk amid them, perhaps researching their hobby. Posted: 07/10/2026 12:04:52
The camera reminds me of the first camera my uncle gave to me so there is nostalgia in this image for me. As a picture it evokes times gone by which makes it very attractive but I agree with Paul that the connection between the camera and books is not obvious. I like the way you have darkened the books and background to make it a very gentle image. Posted: 07/13/2026 20:11:00