The Lumière autochrome : history, technology, and preservation / Bertrand Lavédrine and Jean-Paul Gandolfo ; with the collaboration of Christine Capderou and Ronan Guinée ; translated by John McElhone.
Louis Lumière is perhaps best known for his seminal role in the invention of cinema, but his most important contribution to the history of photography was the autochrome. Engagingly written and superbly illustrated with over 300 images, The Lumière Autochrome tells the fascinating story of the first industrially produced form of colour photography. Initial chapters present the Lumière family enterprise, set out the challenges posed by early colour photography, and recount the invention, rise, and eventual decline of the autochrome, which for the first four decades of the 20th-century was the most widely used form of commercial colour photography. The book then treats the technology of the autochrome, including the technical challenges of plate fabrication, described in step-by-step detail, and a thorough account of autochrome manufacture. A final chapter provides in-depth recommendations concerning the preservation of these vulnerable objects, including proper storage and display guidelines.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.