From the early 1900s, this book was a commercial publication of the Sears-Roebuck Company in the interest of educating consumers and professionals on the hardware, technology, and chemistry available to would-be photographers. It primarily focuses on plate-view cameras with some coverage of film-based cameras referred to at the time as "Kodaks." Chapters include basics of light, aperture, shutter speed, focus, etc. with additional material on setting up a studio, darkrooms for printing and film plate handling, and the use of filters in front of candled lanterns for safety lights. There is also coverage of the chemistry for developing and processing plates and negatives, with specific chemical recipes for developers, stop baths, fixers, and other processes. Included is discussion of transparencies and magic lantern plates, a precursor to slides, and the production of stereoscopic photos. An excellent source of research at the start of commercially available photographic supplies. The chemical formulae are exceptionally helpful to understanding the historical changes to the hobby and profession.