Author(s): Peter Alsop

NZ Photography

Every single photo coloured by hand? Using cotton wool? Yes, such was the era of hand-coloured photography - a painting and photograph in one - the way you got a high-quality colour photo before colour photography became mainstream. Some of New Zealand's best hand-coloured photos were produced by Whites Aviation from 1945. For over 40 years, the glorious scenic vistas were a sensation, adorning offices and lounges around the land; patriotic statements within New Zealand's emerging visual arts. Now, despite massive changes in society and photography, the stunning scenes and subtle tones still enchant, as coveted collectibles; decorations on screen; and as respected pieces of photographic art. But, until now, the inspirational story has not been told; nor have the full stories of Leo White (company founder); Clyde Stewart (chief photographer and head of colouring); and the mission-critical 'colouring girls'. Hand-Coloured New Zealand presents New Zealand's first published collection of hand-coloured photography and reveals the full Whites Aviation story for the first time. Nothing, it seems, can change the appeal of an alluring hand-made craft.