Tilden Technical High School - Craftsman Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

Page 9 text:

ag. ,fs--a 1f,e..x1s',4, .3,,.-any-ff2f f'Y'4HT2 ffgugF.Fg V H - . . -..f 11 5 -. if - we 'i . . V -mf.2iS95, DEDICATION PHOTOGRAPHY Out of a host of arts, crafts and sciences, photography has been chosen to rep- resent this edition of Tilden's annual, the 1938 Craftsman. This choice was inspired by the increasing prominence which photography has been gaining during the last few years. It plays an active pant in modern advertising, offers a means of supplying evidence and facts when disputes arise, and is creating happiness for many as a hobby. The principles of photography were known long before the last century ended. The nature of certain basic optical phenomena was mentioned by Aristotle, 350 B.C.. Man's observance of photo-chemcal action dates back to the eighth century or earlier. These early Endings laid down the principles upon which modern photography is based. The actual practice of photography started about the sixteenth century with the work of Daguerre, Mipie and others. Taking pictures today is qdite different from what it was in the days of Dag- uerre when long exposures necessitated the sitter to be perfectly still for hours, seemingly, along with results quite uncomplimentary to the victim. In addition to putting the camera into the hands of just about everybody, progress in photography has enabled the scientists, engineers and explorers to rec- ord pictorially the behavior of nature. Recently its power as a diplomatic weap- on was shown. It has long been an adjunct to the written word in newspaper work. One of the largest American industries, motion pictures, has developed purely out of the perfection of photographic processes. Capturing movement of any kind is a simple matter for one of the so called candid cameras which has a top shutter speed of about one twelve hundred and fiftieth of a second. Another recent development is color photography. It is not exactly a newcomer, having been experimented wfith quite a while ago, but never has it been practised as extensively nor as successfully as today. With this new medium the cameraman may rival the painter's brush in recording for all time the subtle tints of nature. All of these factors which spell the difference between photography in the days of Daguerre and in modern times are due to one thing, scientific research. Many have been the test tubes broken in the laboratory and erasures made' on the draft- ing table in order to effect the present state of photographic perfection. What it will become tomorrow depends on the research work of today: the hand that holds the test tube holds the future of photography. The theme of the 1938 Craftsman is therefore represented by a vigorously human activity that mirrors man's own progress and fate. Photography is a science, art, trade, business and hobby. So with the clicking of a shutter may the people, activities, and honors of Tilden be revealed to you. WALTER CUNNINGHAM mg. 2 . . llifihs fskifriifffi -42