The Camera as Historian: a Handbook to Photographic Record Work for those who use a Camera and for Survey or Record Societies

Abstract

MUCH may be said in favour of the opinion that there is no more desirable work to which photography can be applied than that which is generally understood by the terms “photographic record” or “photographic survey” work. And yet, so far as we are aware, the authors of this volume are correct in stating that this is the first attempt to produce a manual on the subject. The authors are well fitted for the task that they have undertaken, having had considerable experience as officers of the Photographic Survey and Record of Surrey, and two of them in connection with public libraries. In a quite true sense every photograph is a record, and although a very large proportion of the photographs taken have only a trivial, temporary, or it may be a purely personal interest, others are of the greatest value, and will increase in value as time passes and the objects represented change or disappear. But the practical value of such photographs is exceedingly small, or even nothing, so long as they remain hidden away in private collections or lumber-rooms. The duty of record societies is to systematise the work so that it may proceed along definite lines, and to classify, arrange, and index the photographs. They then become available for reference like books in a public library. It is not only the archajologist and historian who are interested in such collections, but questions that relate to ancient lights, rights of way, etc., may sometimes, by reference to them, be answered with a certainty that will obviate disputes and expensive litigation. The Camera as Historian: a Handbook to Photographic Record Work for those who use a Camera and for Survey or Record Societies. By H. D. Gower L. Stanley Jast W. W. Topley. Pp. xv + 259. (London: Sampson Low, Marston and Co., Ltd., 1916.) Price 6s. net.