FAQ: A. Aubrey Bodine's 'Steamboat and Freighter (1956)' Photograph and Career

What is the photograph ‘Steamboat and Freighter (1956)’ about?

It depicts the Old Bay Line City of Norfolk steamboat approaching Baltimore and navigating between anchored freighters, known for its precise 6:30 AM docking time.

Who was A. Aubrey Bodine and why is he significant?

A. Aubrey Bodine (1906-1970) was regarded as one of the finest pictorialist photographers of the twentieth century, winning numerous awards and having his work exhibited in prestigious shows and museums worldwide.

How can I order a print of this photograph?

You can order by typing the image ID# 48-373 in the box below Bodine’s portrait on the Home Page at www.aaubreybodine.com.

What made Bodine’s photographic style unique?

Bodine believed photography was a creative discipline and used extensive darkroom techniques including dyeing, intensifiers, pencil marking, scraping, and adding clouds photographically to create artistic effects beyond standard newspaper work.

Where did Bodine’s photographic career begin?

His career began in 1923 covering stories for the Baltimore Sunday Sun, where he traveled throughout Maryland creating remarkable documentary pictures of various occupations and activities.

How many photographs are available from Bodine’s career?

More than 6,000 photographs spanning his 47-year career are available for viewing and can be ordered as reprints and note cards at www.aaubreybodine.com.

What was Bodine’s philosophy about photography?

He believed the camera and darkroom were tools like a painter’s brush, and he worked from the model to select features that suited his sense of mood, proportion and design, stating ‘He did not take a picture, he made a picture.’

Who can I contact for additional information about Bodine’s work?

You can write to [email protected] or call 1-800-556-7226 for additional information.

Where can I find more biographical information about A. Aubrey Bodine?

The full text of the biography ‘A Legend In His Time’ by Harold A. Williams, Bodine’s editor and closest friend, can be found at www.aaubreybodine.com.