I recently acquired a Kodak ‘Brownie’ camera made several years before I was born. When I came into the world, an authentic brown ‘Brownie’ was used to capture the first photographic records of me. The nickname sprang from the brown leatherette covering the cardboard bodies of some of the earlier models. 

The ‘Brownie’ I bought was a relatively modern SIX-20 Model E, made in England, and cost about the same as a Sydney brunch with smashed avocado and a large latte. It was manufactured some time between 1953 and 1957 and has several advanced features such as shutter lock switch, cable release fitting, dual tripod sockets and a pull out yellow filter for darkening the blue sky on a sunny day.

With a fixed focal length, aperture and shutter speed, the ‘Brownie’ was designed for shooting in good daylight on low ISO black and white film. While not versatile, it was capable of taking fine photographs. Millions of photo albums from the mid twentieth century are filled with 21/4 x 31/4 inch contact prints from black and white film shot with a Brownie. 

The first ‘Brownie’ was made in 1900. Last century it revolutionised photography for the masses in the same way the smartphone has made everyone a photographer in this century. Now, it’s you press the button, we it does the rest!

Some examples of ‘Brownie’ photos, old and new, appear below.

Some Brownie history here

Me in 1958. Scan of original Brownie contact print photograph.

My sister in 1964. Scan of original Brownie negative.

My sister, 1964. Scan of original Brownie negative.

My ‘new’ Brownie – SIX-20 Model E. Made in England c. 1955.                                                          

Photo from the new Brownie, 2019. Approx. 2 sec. ‘bulb’ exposure on tripod. Negative scan.