Essays On Half-Tone Photography [Upendrakishore Raychowdhury]

The exponential growth of high-detail photographic reproduction over the last century is premised on the minute half-tone dot, which is also the forebearer of the contemporary digital pixel. Upendrakishore Raychowdhury was an internationally recognized pioneer in the field and is credited with inventing one of the key components of the half-tone process. Between 1897 and 1912, he wrote nine essays on aspects of his half-tone technique for Penrose’s Pictorial Annual, a periodical of the graphic arts. This edition brings together the essays for the first time, and in facsimile. Upendrakishore Raychowdhury (1863-1915) was a reputed Bengali writer, musicologist, artist, publisher, and editor. His fame chiefly rests on the books he wrote for young readers, such as ‘Sekaler Kotha’, ‘Tuntunir Boi’, ‘Cheleder Mahabharat’, as well as his editorship of the children’s magazine Sandesh. He was also one of the leading printers of his time, and an innovator in the field of process work (mass reproduction of photographs). His legacy of innovation was carried forward by his son, Sukumar Ray, and grandson, Satyajit Ray, who were pioneers in their own fields.