Brownie Junior Camera

1 Kodak Brownie Junior Six-20 C Box camera (10cmx8cmx12cm) with a leatherette covered metal body. Part of the Children's Literature Research Collection. 

This particular model of camera was introduced by Eastman Kodak in 1934 and was Kodak's most popular 'junior' camera. The box takes 620 box roll black and white film that needed to be developed in a laboratory or at home if the right equipment was available. As there is no focus function on this sort of camera, the resultant photographs are very grainy in appearance much like a pin-hole camera. By 1942 this model was phased out in favour of new technology.

A product like this would most likely have been specifically marketed to the age range target audience (rather than their parents), chosen by the young person themselves to develop their interests independently, and paid for with their own pocket-money or allowance. 

To use, the camera must be held against the body at about waist height whereby you look down into the viewfinder to position the subject and engage the shutter.

Today 'pin-hole' function cameras are used as an artistic means to produce surreal spooky-looking grainy or blurred images using brief-time exposure techniques to create exposure bleed, in contrast to modern, digital, clear, immediate photography. Many photography artists favour film over digital to create bespoke works.

Permission to use this item for any purpose, including publishing, is not required from the State Library under these conditions of use.

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