Film photography exists at a crossroads of science and art. We strive to produce aesthetically pleasing images, but require a certain mastery of the physics of light and chemistry to do so. It is a chimera of sorts, a blend of two very different disciplines. As photography evolved, challenges arose that were quickly resolved by creative-minded inventors and problem-solving scientists. The result is a myriad of odd yet wonderful photographic accessories, often designed with a singular purpose. Many of these have been overlooked or forgotten entirely.
As I get older, and refuse to abandon the musical preferences forged in my adolescence, I have grown to appreciate the songs found on the “B-Side” of the vinyl albums of my generation. Similarly, over time I have acquired a collection of these oddball photo accessories that I find interesting and useful. Alongside “Classic Camera Reviews” and Legacy Lens Reviews”, I hope this new category “From the B-Side” will introduce new enthusiasts to some of that esoterica.