Online Exhibit: Appalachian People: Photography

In 1920, Horace Kephart took a series of photographs of the Bryson City Bridge and carefully noted the camera settings. In doing so he applied his characteristic methodical nature to his long time interest in photography. He well understood the value of photographs from a personal perspective as well as the need for photographs to illustrate his writings. His photograph album, an assemblage of pictures from publications and original photographs, documented his arrival and observations in western North Carolina. This album can be viewed by clicking the link above.

Kephart took photographs of his own, as seen in the album and the photo-log book. However, he also incorporated photographs from professional photographers and government publications in both his album and publications. In particular, he developed a long friendship with Japanese photographer George Masa whose work included an emphasis on the Great Smoky Mountains. Many of Masa's photographs are available in Special Collections at Hunter Library.

From Camping and Woodcraft, volume 1, pages 176-177:

Camera -One cuts his coat according to his cloth, but if you can afford a camera with quick lens and high-speed shutter, it will pay well in good pictures. On wilderness trips it is the rule, not the exception, that you must "shoot" when the light is poor.

Again, you want a picture that tells a story, a true story, and nine times out of ten, the only way to get it is by a snapshot taken unawares. When people pose for a camp scene or any other picture they are self-conscious, stiff, or showing off.

Your chance to get a story-picture always pops up unexpectedly. You must work quickly, or not at all. There is no chance to manœuvre for position, no time to wait on the sun. And if your camera is too large to carry in a pocket or on your belt, then, two to one, you haven't got it with you. So get a camera not over 3 1/4 x 4 1/4, with special lens and shutter, if you can. At best you will spoil a good many exposures, and you can well afford to have the really good ones enlarged.

A handy way to carry a camera is to remove the sling, cut two slits in back of a leather case, and wear it on your belt over the hip. Then it is out of the way, does not dangle when you stoop nor flop when you run, and yet is instantly at your service.