Tracings of Light: Sir John Herschel and the Camera Lucida - Drawings from the Graham Nash Collection

by Larry J. Schaaf, Profusely illustrated (Illustrator)

This 120-page publication Tracings of Sir John Herschel & The Camera Lucida, by photo historian Larry J. Schaaf combines a substantial assessment of the camera lucida as a drawing tool with biographical information on Herschel, his counterparts, and their role in the development of photography.

Genres: Art

Hardcover

First published September 26, 1991

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

The drawings in this book are inspirational. All were captured using an optical tool called the "camera lucida". This prism projects the illusion of the scene before the artist onto the page upon which they draw. When used by someone of high artistic capacity, the results can be stunning, showing us aspects of a scene in a way that no photographic can capture. Among his many talents, Herschel was such artist. Even with the advent of photography (in which he played a part), he continued to draw in this manner until the end of his life.

Since Hershel traveled extensively through Europe, this book also serves as a window to the natural and manmade wonders of the continent at the time.

In part we have the rock star Graham Nash to thank and his interest in photography and its antecedents for bringing this collection to a broader public.

By the way, the camera lucida is being made available through a Kickstarter project. It was the case that only collectors of late 19th century optical gear might own one of these instruments. Now, they will be affordable to any artist to aid them in the rendering of a scene.