West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge is a novel inspired by the true story of two giraffes who survived a hurricane while crossing the Atlantic in 1938, on their way to the San Diego Zoo. A main character in the novel is a young photographer named Augusta Ann (or Red). She is an aspiring journalist who is determined to become a photojournalist, with the hopes of working for Life magazine one day, and who follows the giraffes on their cross-country journey.
Sepia tone, a process popular starting in the 19th century and continuing into the Depression era, often awakens in us a sense of history and time, fitting both with the themes of the book and of the photographer’s journey. In contrast to black and white photography, the warmer tones of sepia provide a softer visual contrast to the viewer; and the particular chemical process of creating the sepia-toned prints also ensured that they were much more resistant to environmental pollutants – resulting in their ability to be better preserved than the usual black and white photography of the era.
The connection between West With Giraffes and hand-colored sepia-toned photographs can be seen at an exhibit showcasing the talents of student photographers from the Shenendehowa High School East photography classes of Cassi Suen and Joanna Butterfield. These photos symbolize both a connection to the past, and to the journey of the young female photographer.
“The photography students made traditional black and white prints in a darkroom and then toned them in sepia, a technique that was popular in the early 1900s,” shared teacher Cassi Suen. “Sepia toning gives black and white prints a warmer, antique tone and enhances their archival qualities. This is why many “old time” photographs are sepia-toned and have survived until today. We thought these prints would work well with the featured book, West with Giraffes, which was set in the 1930s.”
Over 70 students in four photography classes took part in this project. The parameters for the assignment included: themes ranging from light & shadows, texture, vintage, weathered, vintage, and morning light; and hand coloring themes of play/youth, yummy treats, retro, nature, and reflection. This exhibit of photos can be viewed at the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library through May 13 – please consider coming out and supporting the efforts of these teachers and their talented students!
For more information on the sepia tone photography, please click on the link to see a video explaining the process by the students themselves.