How to use an Afghan box camera "kamra-e-faoree"

Summary

This video showcases the remarkable craft of Qualum Naabi, a 44-year-old street photographer in Kabul, Afghanistan. Using his wooden 'camera eori,' Naabi follows a traditional, hands-on process to capture portraits for his clients. From carefully setting up the camera to developing and fixing the photographs with chemical solutions, Naabi’s meticulous steps demonstrate his mastery of an art form passed down through generations. Despite the challenges, he creates both negative and positive prints, preserving a vital part of Afghanistan’s photographic heritage. This captivating process highlights Naabi’s dedication to both his craft and his cultural legacy.

Takeaways

• 😀 Qualum Naabi, a 44-year-old street photographer, has been working on the streets of Kabul since he was 11, following in his father's footsteps.
• 😀 Naabi uses a traditional wooden camera known as the 'camera eori' in Dari, a rare tool with only two users left in Kabul.
• 😀 The process begins with Naabi preparing chemicals for developing and fixing photographs, ensuring they are ready for the task ahead.
• 😀 He carefully adjusts the camera, ensuring the customer's face is properly aligned with the lens for the perfect shot.
• 😀 Naabi focuses the camera by adjusting the focus pole, ensuring the subject remains in sharp focus throughout the process.
• 😀 The next step involves Naabi loading photographic paper into the camera, ensuring light-tight conditions as he works inside the camera.
• 😀 After positioning the paper, Naabi removes the lens cap in one quick motion to capture the photo while the customer remains still.
• 😀 He skillfully removes the exposed paper, developing it in the tray, while monitoring the image's appearance through a tiny eyehole on the camera.
• 😀 Once the image is developed, Naabi fixes the photograph in the tray to prevent it from fading, ensuring its longevity.
• 😀 Naabi repeats the process with a photographic negative to create a positive print, making necessary adjustments for perfection before the final product is complete.

Q & A

What is the profession of Qualum Naabi?

Qualum Naabi is a street photographer who has been working on the streets of Kabul since he was 11 years old. His father also worked as a street photographer, making this profession a family tradition.

What is the significance of the 'camera eori' in Naabi's photography process?

The 'camera eori' is a traditional wooden camera used by Naabi, and it plays a crucial role in his photographic process. It is specifically used to capture images with an old-fashioned method, adding a unique and authentic touch to his work.

What is Naabi’s approach to setting up a photo shoot?

Naabi's process begins by setting up a backdrop of black fabric for the subject. He then prepares the chemical solutions for developing and fixing the photographs before positioning the camera and focusing it to ensure a sharp image.

How does Naabi ensure the camera is properly focused on his subject?

Naabi uses a focus pole to adjust the focus of the camera. He peers through the back door of the camera and adjusts the focus plate by pulling or pushing the pole backward and forward until the subject is in clear focus.

What role does Naabi's right arm play during the photography process?

Naabi uses his right arm to insert the photographic paper into the camera while his left hand adjusts the focus plate. His right arm is also used to handle the paper and place it into the developing tray after exposure.

Why is it important for the customer to remain still during the exposure?

The customer must remain completely still during the exposure to ensure a sharp image. Any movement during the exposure could result in a blurry photograph, as the process relies on the camera capturing a precise moment.

What steps does Naabi take after exposing the photographic paper?

After exposing the paper, Naabi removes the exposed paper from the holder, places it into the developing tray, and waits for the image to appear. He then uses a fixer to stop the image from fading before evaluating the result.

How does Naabi handle the negative image to create a positive print?

To create a positive print, Naabi first washes the negative in water, then attaches it to the holder in his camera. He focuses the camera again, places a new sheet of photographic paper, exposes it, develops, and fixes it to create the final positive image.

What is the final step before handing the photograph to the client?

The final step involves Naabi washing, drying, and cutting the positive image into shape. He then wraps the image in pre-cut strips of paper before handing it to the client.

What makes Naabi's photography process unique?

Naabi's photography process is unique because he uses an old-fashioned wooden camera, following traditional methods of developing and fixing photographs. His detailed and manual approach, along with the use of instant chemicals, adds a special touch to each image.