Thread: Powers of Ten
View Single Post
  #20  
Old 13-02-2011, 03:40 AM
Octane's Avatar
Octane (Humayun)
IIS Member #671

Octane is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Canberra
Posts: 11,159
Gary,

I finally got around to putting some time aside tonight to watch the video you linked.

One world: genius.

That was just so awesome. To think they made such complex machinery so long ago. Wow!

What an elegant system. I wonder how much those babies go on eBay nowadays?

Thanks, so much. I learnt a lot and a flood of inspiration is rushing through me.

H

Quote:
Originally Posted by gary View Post
Hi Jen,

As another example of the intellect of the Eames's, consider a promotional
film they made for Polaroid in 1972 to promote the SX-70 camera.
For those old enough to remember, the SX-70 was a thing of beauty and
sophistication. From its collapsible body, to its brush chrome finish and its
leather inlays. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polaroid_SX-70

In particular I draw your attention to the segment of the film starting at the
4 min 12 sec mark. I don't think there would be a photographer who, even today,
wouldn't be absolutely drawn in and fascinated by the film's description of the
light path, lenses, mechanism and functioning of the camera. The Eames's
respect the intelligence of the viewer and their approach is not to shy way from
this internal technical detail.

At one point toward the end, narrator Philip Morrison says of the camera,

and finally ...

It would have been pretty hard for the gadget lover not to have aspired to own one!

Anyway, here is the 11 minute film -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EdwmaQltHc
As mentioned, the segment starting at 4 min 12 sec and running to the end I know
many IceInSpace photographers will be able to relate to.
Reply With Quote