PHOTO OF THE DAY

The first sailing photographer

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Frank Becken became interested in photography after his family moved to the small port of Cowes, the famous capital of the International Sailing Regatta, in 1888. Through his bedroom window, Frank often watched yachts pass by. These vistas impressed him so much that he decided to capture them on film, creating his own camera.

Cameras at the time were not built for shooting in rough sea conditions, so Becken had to develop a device which featured not only an unusual way to release the "shutter" (the photographer had to squeeze a rubber ball connected to the camera with his teeth ), but also a unique wooden body construction and a focusing system.

The family drugstore sold the photos with great success. Even members of the royal court from the nearby residence of Queen Victoria became buyers.

This 1911 photograph shows the yacht Susanne.

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