Image. Volume 16, No. 2. June 1973. British Masters of the Albumen Print.

Journal of Photography and Motion Pictures of the International Museum of Photography at George Eastman House. This issue contains: British Masters of the Albumen Print, an exhibition review with selected images by Roger Fenton, William Lake Price, Julia Margaret Cameron, Antoine Claudet (portrait or self-portrait), et al.; Preservation and Restoration of Glass Plate Negatives by José Orraca; Book Detective Cameras by Eaton S. Lothrop, Jr.; James Agee as film critic by Bruce F. Hardy; The Language of Film by Josef von Sternberg. Also includes list of books received, list of films received including many titles by Georges Melies; exhibitions; slide service; continuation of synoptic catalog of the collections; and list of exhibits available for loan. Wraps with glossy covers. Fine.  Summary:

The June 1973 issue of Image (Volume 16, No. 2), the journal of the George Eastman House, is a scholarly edition that balances 19th-century photographic history with technical preservation and film theory. The issue is primarily defined by its focus on the "golden age" of British photography and the early technical artifacts of the medium.

Featured History: British Masters of the Albumen Print

The centerpiece of this issue is an exhibition review and curated portfolio celebrating the height of the albumen process (a method using egg whites to bind light-sensitive chemicals to paper). This section highlights the aesthetic diversity of the mid-to-late 19th century:

• Roger Fenton: Noted for his masterful landscapes and still lifes that demonstrated the technical clarity achievable with albumen.

• Julia Margaret Cameron: Representing the Pre-Raphaelite influence, her soft-focus portraits emphasize the emotional and allegorical potential of the medium.

• William Lake Price: Showcasing early "tableaux" or staged narrative photography.

• Antoine Claudet: Featuring a significant portrait (or self-portrait), illustrating the transition from the daguerreotype to the more reproducible paper print.

Technical Preservation and Equipment

• "Preservation and Restoration of Glass Plate Negatives" by José Orraca: A foundational article in the field of photographic conservation. Orraca, a pioneer in the discipline, outlines the chemistry and physical stabilization required to save early glass-based archives from deterioration.

• "Detective Cameras" by Eaton S. Lothrop, Jr.: A scholarly review of Lothrop's work on the history of covert photography. It explores the late 19th-century trend of "spy" cameras disguised as books, watches, or vests, marking the birth of candid, handheld photography.

Film and Criticism

The issue concludes with a transition into cinema studies, bridging the gap between the still and moving image:

• James Agee as Film Critic: Bruce F. Hardy analyzes the legacy of Agee, arguing that his poetic and rigorous prose elevated film criticism to a literary art form.

• "The Language of Film" by Josef von Sternberg: A theoretical piece by the legendary director of The Blue Angel. Von Sternberg discusses the visual syntax of cinema, focusing on lighting, shadow, and the "pictorial" requirements of the frame.

Summary Takeaway

Volume 16, No. 2 of Image serves as a bridge between the materiality of the past and the theory of the future. By pairing the delicate chemistry of the albumen print and glass plate preservation with the evolving "language" of film, the issue reinforces the George Eastman House's mission to treat photography as a continuous, interconnected technological and artistic evolution.