The Photographer

:Examples of c.19th century large format cameras.





There is only the one photograph of Mary which was taken in 1873, the year of her execution.
I cant find any information regarding the image. Photographs were not the norm in news papers until the 20th century, woodcut printing blocks copied from photos were though.
I cant help but think it is an early police mug shot, as these were being taken in the UK from 1848. 

vintage camera and flash

With this in mind, I couldn't help but think we could get some nice shots in the production and a good transition to the digital documentary footage with a Victorian photographer and a little bit of artistic license. To achieve this a period camera, and for dramatic effect a magnesium strip type flash would be required.I tried a couple of leads for a cameras with no results and so decided that as the camera would not be the focus of attention for the shot that maybe I could fake it with a lacquered wooden box and a lens.
Kiwi trading came up trumps (as always) with a box, and Lee loaned me the front lens from the donated unfinished project lens.

Kiwi trading trinket box

The lens in front of the box just magnified the wood grain and so I backed the lens with a matt black end cap from a packaging tube that I had stuck a dot of aluminum tape to to act as an aperture. The cap fit snugly inside the lens and was bonded in place with 1" gaffa tape, this in turn was bonded to the box with epoxy two pack glue (so as not to damage the lens). The camera was to be mounted on the colleges antique wooden tripod to complete the effect..
 

If you can just smile for the camera...for three minutes.

The purchased pyrotechnic products.

 Now I needed the focal point for the shot, the flash and flash unit. Having not turned up a camera I didnt even try to aquire a flash. so again I opted to make one. I inquired with photography about the availability of magnesium strips or powder, as would have been used. They didn't know any sources, an internet search also turned up nothing.I thought about magicians props and so searched on the internet for magicians flash powder, and bingo! I found a company in Blackpool who specialise in flash powders and papers etc. I made an order for flash powder, flash cotton wool (to use as a primer for the powder) and two electric detonators which trigger with voltage over 2v.

The components required to build the trigger

I opted to make a triggering device as the ones available were very expensive. A trip to Maplins and another couple of hours later I had a trigger. I opted for a key switch to immobilise it and prevent accidental miss-fires, I also fitted a panel lamp to indicate when it was live, again to prevent misfires and personal injuries..

Fire in the hole!

I now had to make two flash pots to hold the flash powder. To do this I used two small tins that I had with snap top lids that when in place would safely contain the powder from wind and spills whilst waiting to be used. The second tin can also be charged ready to be fitted in place of the first. These will also transfer the heat from the flash safely in use. The 'camera' also served as a good Fire-box on location to contain all the pyrotechnics until they were required on set.

I drilled a hole in the side of the tin and put the end of the detonator wire through it from the inside, this was carefully bonded to the base of the tin with the end of the detonator exposed. I then covered the base with a thin layer of the cotton wool.On the day of the shoot the tin will be filled with the flash powder and sealed with the snap on lids.

1. attach double sided tape and the detonator

3. fill with powder and replace the lid.

These will quickly and easily be removed again once the tin is attached to the flash device with blutack and we are ready to go for the take.

2. layer with cotton wool

Aluminium tape reflector and flash pot

For the flash unit I took a vintage garden sprayer and stripped it down to its handle and bras rod inner then I stripped down my old broken 1960's cine lights for the casing which i covered the inside of with self adhesive aluminium tape to act as a reflector and attached it to the end of the rod. hey-presto one vintage camera and flash.

Flash unit with recycled materials

This will be perfect for the job.

The vintage wooden handle sells the period.

In practice the photographer would have used a blackout cloth. To achieve this for the shot  I simply folded the sleeves inside the SR3's film black bag and taped it to the top of the 'camera' with gaffa tape.
Whilst I tried to minimise risk during the design and manufacture of the completed props and pyrotechnic effect, for safety's sake a fire extinguisher was kept at hand during the shots on location.

Richard takes 'The' photograph of Mary.