Contact prints were used to produce proof sheets from entire rolls of 35 mm negative in order to aid in the selection of images for further enlargement, and for cataloging and identification purposes. The image on the print is exactly the same size as the image on the negative.
In the digital world this is now a lost art. Finding the contact sheets from legendary Rock N’ Roll photo shoots has now become my newest obsession. Check out some of my favorites.
David Bowie – Heroes
Photographer Masayoshi Sukita (1977)
John Lennon – New York City
Photographer – Bob Gruen (1972)
The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Photographer Gered Mankowitz (1967)
Jim Morrison – Young Lion
Photographer – Joel Brodsky (1967)
John Lennon – Paul McCartney
Photographer – David Bailey (1965)
Bob Dylan – Martin Guitar Ad
Photographer – Don Hunstein (1964)
More of these to follow.