:: PhotoMatrix ::

Here is a 1925 self-contained camera/film development system all in one. A «box» camera of yesteryears, and the thing still works! The photographer [or «cameraman» as he preferred to be called] told me that the exposure-time in daylight was «a count of 10 or 20» which translates to 8 to 18 seconds, roughly. So, since he was shooting at night with a few artificial lights he was going to expose the film for 15 to 25 seconds and additionally would light-paint his subject with a hand-held electric light.
The fun begins. He inserts a sheet of photo paper inside the camera chamber. Subject is told to hold still for 25 secs, no blinking, smiling, nothing. Try not to breathe too much, he adds. He removes the lens cover, picks up the light and walks around «painting» his subject with light. At times he is passing in FRONT of the lens... no, he says his image will not be recorded as he was in front of the lens only a second or so...

    

Once the film is exposed, lens cap goes back on. Subject can breathe again. He removes the exposed paper, and then uses a rubber gloved hand to dip the paper in the «hypo» solution which is right there inside the box chamber! A few minutes later we have a black and white negative! Now more fun to follow: He places the negative on a wooden prop, in front of the lens, and takes a photo of the negative to create a «positive». He develops this second negative, and he has a Black & White photo to show us. Amazing.

He charges a staggering 10 Taka per portrait. Any takers?