Sun November 1, 2015
14 Never-Before-Seen Photos of Louis Armstrong
SEE EVENT DETAILS
at Dickerman Prints
(see times)
Dickerman Prints and the estate of Robert Cameron are proud to exhibit 14 previously unseen photographs of Louis Armstrong — the great jazz musician — performing live in 1941.
Given free-reign to move around on stage during the performance, Robert Cameron used a 4x5” press camera — fitted with a slow burning flash unit — to make his exposures. Since it was fairly dark inside the St. Louis club, he had to focus by estimating the camera distance from the subject. The opening of the lens determined the amount of exposure the film would receive. Each exposure was made on a single sheet of 4x5” film.
When Cameron later showed the jazz legend a portrait of him improvising on stage — with saliva dripping down his chin — Armstrong said to him, “This is the best picture ever taken of me actually playing. All them others are of me just holding the trumpet up to my lips.”
Open Studios marks the first time in 74 years that the entire collection of photographs from that evening are being presented in contact sheet form, at the same size as the negatives.
Together, the collection offers a timeless glimpse into the music scene of a bygone era. Concurrently, it shows Armstrong doing what he was born to do: practicing an original art form that grew out of the African experience in America.
show less
Given free-reign to move around on stage during the performance, Robert Cameron used a 4x5” press camera — fitted with a slow burning flash unit — to make his exposures. Since it was fairly dark inside the St. Louis club, he had to focus by estimating the camera distance from the subject. The opening of the lens determined the amount of exposure the film would receive. Each exposure was made on a single sheet of 4x5” film.
When Cameron later showed the jazz legend a portrait of him improvising on stage — with saliva dripping down his chin — Armstrong said to him, “This is the best picture ever taken of me actually playing. All them others are of me just holding the trumpet up to my lips.”
Open Studios marks the first time in 74 years that the entire collection of photographs from that evening are being presented in contact sheet form, at the same size as the negatives.
Together, the collection offers a timeless glimpse into the music scene of a bygone era. Concurrently, it shows Armstrong doing what he was born to do: practicing an original art form that grew out of the African experience in America.
Dickerman Prints and the estate of Robert Cameron are proud to exhibit 14 previously unseen photographs of Louis Armstrong — the great jazz musician — performing live in 1941.
Given free-reign to move around on stage during the performance, Robert Cameron used a 4x5” press camera — fitted with a slow burning flash unit — to make his exposures. Since it was fairly dark inside the St. Louis club, he had to focus by estimating the camera distance from the subject. The opening of the lens determined the amount of exposure the film would receive. Each exposure was made on a single sheet of 4x5” film.
When Cameron later showed the jazz legend a portrait of him improvising on stage — with saliva dripping down his chin — Armstrong said to him, “This is the best picture ever taken of me actually playing. All them others are of me just holding the trumpet up to my lips.”
Open Studios marks the first time in 74 years that the entire collection of photographs from that evening are being presented in contact sheet form, at the same size as the negatives.
Together, the collection offers a timeless glimpse into the music scene of a bygone era. Concurrently, it shows Armstrong doing what he was born to do: practicing an original art form that grew out of the African experience in America.
read more
Given free-reign to move around on stage during the performance, Robert Cameron used a 4x5” press camera — fitted with a slow burning flash unit — to make his exposures. Since it was fairly dark inside the St. Louis club, he had to focus by estimating the camera distance from the subject. The opening of the lens determined the amount of exposure the film would receive. Each exposure was made on a single sheet of 4x5” film.
When Cameron later showed the jazz legend a portrait of him improvising on stage — with saliva dripping down his chin — Armstrong said to him, “This is the best picture ever taken of me actually playing. All them others are of me just holding the trumpet up to my lips.”
Open Studios marks the first time in 74 years that the entire collection of photographs from that evening are being presented in contact sheet form, at the same size as the negatives.
Together, the collection offers a timeless glimpse into the music scene of a bygone era. Concurrently, it shows Armstrong doing what he was born to do: practicing an original art form that grew out of the African experience in America.
show less
Date/Times:
Dickerman Prints
1141 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
The Best Events
Every Week in Your Inbox
From Our Sponsors
UPCOMING EVENTS
Great suggestion! We'll be in touch.
Event reviewed successfully.