Mortensen, William. ""Pictorialism for Minicams," by William Mortensen, in Camera Craft, August 1934, Vol. XLI, Number 8.

Entire issue, about 60 pages. Includes Mortensen's "King Henry VIII" on cover, as well as "Indian Serenade" and "Rope Dancer." Contents also include Leonard Missone's "Sale Temps" from the 17th Los Angeles Salon, article by Albert Jourdan on photomontage technique, et al. Very good with moderate soiling from handling on covers. Summary:

Camera Craft (Volume XLI, Number 8, August 1934) is a roughly 60-page issue of the prominent monthly American photography journal published in San Francisco. During the 1930s, the magazine served as a major battleground for the fierce aesthetic debates dividing the photographic world—specifically between the West Coast "Straight Photography" movement and the highly manipulated "Pictorialist" movement.

Cover and Visual Features

The issue’s visual identity is heavily defined by its contributor, master Pictorialist William Mortensen.

• The Cover: Features Mortensen’s dramatic character portrait, "King Henry VIII."

• Internal Art Portfolio: Includes reproductions of two other iconic Mortensen works, "Indian Serenade" and "Rope Dancer."

• Other Highlights: The issue also showcases "Sale Temps" by the renowned Belgian Pictorialist Leonard Misonne, selected from the recent 17th Los Angeles Salon.

Featured Article: "Pictorialism for Minicams" by William Mortensen

Mortensen’s landmark essay in this issue serves as both a practical guide and an artistic manifesto tailored to the rising popularity of "minicams" (small-format, 35mm miniature cameras like the Leica).

• The Argument: Mortensen forcefully rejects the idea that small-format photography must be limited to crisp, stark realism or casual snapshots. Instead, he argues that miniature cameras can—and should—be used to create highly stylized, theatrical, and emotive fine art.

• The Methodology: The article introduces ways that miniature camera users can embrace "control processes" in the darkroom and during composition to achieve the painterly, atmospheric, and romanticist textures typical of traditional large-format Pictorialism.

Additional Contents

• Photomontage Technique: A feature article by Albert Jourdan detailing the creative and technical mechanics behind constructing multi-image photomontages.

• Industry and Community Notes: Regular departments featuring technical darkroom advice, chemistry formulas, book reviews, and announcements from national photographic salons and camera clubs.