On Saturday, 2 April 2016, the Photographic Historical Society of New England (PHSNE) hosted its Photographica 85 show and auction in Newton, MA.
It was a heaven of sorts for people who love cameras in all shapes and sizes. As I walked between trestle tables groaning with archaic gear, I heard snippets of conversations ranging from lens stuff (is that an M-mount?) to the advantage of one tripod over another (these new light-weight graphite tripods just can't support an 8X10 View Camera with lens; and if it's windy…) to something I really didn’t need to overhear (how many sheets does that tank take?) to where to get a ground glass replacement that won't empty the kids' college funds (more about that later.)
It was delightful to be in a room where one could indulge in all things camera without fear of boring others to tears, though I have to admit my grasp on technicalities is a constant source of embarrassment to my partner-in-camera. All I want to know is can it take pictures? Yes? No?
The PHSNE has been in existence for 40 years in the Boston area and seem to consist of mainly middle-aged men and older (apologies if I'm over-estimating anybody's age) and the odd sprinkling of hipster plaids and beards. There were a few women, including me, though I won't be disclosing my age anytime soon.
I had to give partner-in-cameras ‘the look’ when he began drooling over a rather pretty black Wista 4X5 view camera. It was for just such an eventuality that we left our credit cards at home and filled our wallets with small banknotes, but I look forward to attending events such as "The Maintenance & Repair of Cameras" at the Women's Club Workshop.
Needless to say, we joined the Society.
-Leonie Marinovich