Photo Art (フォトアート, Foto Āto) is a Japanese monthly photographic magazine, published by Kenkōsha (研光社). It lasted from 1949 until 1977.
Photo Art derived from an eight-volume series on photographic technique, Shashin Satsuei Sōsho (写真撮影叢書, 1947–8). Its first issue is dated May 1949. Its March–April 1951 issue, devoted to nudes, was banned for obscenity.
Domon Ken (土門拳) joined Photo Art as judge of its contest from its January 1956 issue. His arrival moved the magazine toward an emphasis on realism, and it effectively became the successor to Ars Camera.
From June 1957, the monthly Photo Art was supplemented by a bimonthly "special edition" (特集フォトアート, Tokushū Foto Āto). Both the monthly and the bimonthly disappeared after October 1977.
Special issues
The magazine published a number of special issues, called Photo Art Rinji Zōkan (フォトアート臨時増刊, i.e. Photo Art special issue). Each has an issue number, in the same sequence as the main magazine.
No.50: Rollei-like cameras
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Rōrai-gata kamera zensho (ローライ型カメラ全書, All the Rollei-like cameras). May 1953, no.50 of the magazine. (Template:FAR50)
- Covers all sorts of TLR cameras and a few SLR.
No.58: All cameras
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Zoku: kamera no chishiki (続・カメラの知識, Knowledge of cameras: continued). November 1953, no.58 of the magazine. (Template:FAR58)
- After articles on the use of cameras by Matsugi Fujio (真継不二夫), Akiyama Shōtarō (秋山庄太郎), and Yoshioka Senzō (吉岡專造), the publication explains the different kinds of cameras, looks at techniques, and then presents the cameras for sale at the time, even illustrating such obscurities as the Leadaflex.
No.65: Folding cameras
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Supuringu kamera zensho (スプリングカメラ全書, All the folding cameras). May 1954, no.65 of the magazine. (Template:FAR65)
- Covers all sorts of folding cameras.
No.69: TLR cameras
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Nigan-refu kamera zensho (二眼レフカメラ全書, All the TLR cameras). August 1954, no.69 of the magazine. (Template:FAR69)
- As issue no.50, but updated and for TLR cameras only.
No.80: Accessories
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Kamera akusesarī zensho (カメラアクセサリー全書, All the camera accessories). June 1955, no.80 of the magazine. (Template:FAR80)
- All sorts of camera accessories available in Japan.
No.87: All cameras
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Kamera no chishiki (カメラの知識, Knowledge of cameras). October 1955, no.87 of the magazine. (Template:FAR87)
- Despite its title, this special issue came after no.65 described above; this was perhaps the third or fourth issue published by the magazine to be so titled.
- The contents are similar from one issue to the other: after some sample photographs and general articles on camera use, it devotes about 25 pages to a list of the available Japanese cameras, including models that are very little known. This is followed by articles on camera technology, one of which is written by Sakurai Eiichi of the Olympus company. Then a section is devoted to imported cameras, arguably presenting more mainstream models, yet showing a picture of the Rex Reflex, a French TLR with interchangeable lenses. This is followed by sections on accessories and darkroom techniques, and finally by a comprehensive list of the Japanese camera-related companies. Other minor articles scattered through the issue include a list of the interchangeable lenses available at the time.
No.89: Folding cameras
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Saishin supuringu kamera zensho (最新スプリングカメラ全書, All the latest folding cameras). November 1955, no.89 of the magazine. (Template:FAR89)
- As issue no.65, updated.
References
In English:
- Shirayama Mari. "Major Photography Magazines". In The History of Japanese Photography, ed. Ann Wilkes Tucker, et al. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2003. ISBN 0-300-09925-8. Pp. 378–85. Pp.383.
In Japanese:
- Shirayama Mari (白山眞理). "Nihon no shashin/kamera zasshi" (日本の写真・カメラ雑誌). Nihon shashin-shi gaisetsu (日本写真史概説, "An outline history of photography in Japan"). Tokyo: Iwanami, 1999. ISBN 4-00-008381-3. P.41.
- Shirayama Mari (白山眞理). Shashin zasshi no kiseki (写真雑誌の奇跡, "Traces of camera magazines"). Tokyo: JCII Library, 2001. P.14.