The growth of Houston back at the turn of last century was unbridled. Opportunity could be found around every corner of the bayou city. During The 1920’s alone there was a building boom that lasted a decade giving local professional photographers plenty of work. Despite a crushing depression crippling the rest of the nation Houston would survive better than most. The photographs featured in this exhibit showcase the best of the best of commercial photography and photographers during the 1920’s & 1930’s. Using huge cameras that created an 8 x 10 inch black and white negative these skilled craftsmen captured day to day life in and around Houston with amazing clarity. Each image is a visual time capsule revealing an important part of our community’s historical past.

The process of 19th and 20th century photography in the age of the digital world is viewed by some as an alternative form of art. No longer mainstream but back roomed only for use by purists who want to get their fingers wet with darkroom chemistry magic. This exhibit is the combination of large format black & white photography and computer technology as a means of breathing new life into decades old photographic compositions. The new generation digital darkroom is a valuable tool in the battle to preserve our fragile visual history. All images digitally scanned, restored, and printed!