The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1857-04-16
IMPORTANT PHOTOGRAPHIC INVENTION
SOLAR CAMERA.

invented an instrument which cannot fail to
effect great revolution in Photographic
pictures. Our readers have noticed the da.
guerrcotypcs and photograph in oil, which
have recently become so popular; but many
may not have m idea of the manner in
which they are obtained. For their benc-
fit we propose to make brief explanation.
The photograph is taken in the usual way
by means of a.negativo on glass, which is
printed upon canvas or paper. The canvas
is prepared in peculiar manner to make
its surface receive the silver-saIt on which
the printing is to be effected by the rays Of
the sun. The glass negative is then laid
upon the canvas or paper, the whole placed
in direct sunlight and allowed to remain un-
til an inspection of the surface reveals the
fact that the darkcning Of the silver.salt is
complete. In this way, the image or out
line is obtained, and then the artist proceeds
to paint over it.
Several Inconvenience have been cXpe-
rienccd in this procedure, and many attemps
hitherto without success. In the first place,
the positive picture must be the same size
ms the negative from which it is printed
In order to acquire such large negatives,
tho photographers have been compelled to
enlarge their cameras to a most unwieldy
size. Tho peculiar optical defect of the
lenses used, which cannot be wholly avoided
then made themselves very apparent. The
field being large, the image Was | 9th dim
md distorted; dim, because of the diffusion
of the rays of light; distorted, because Of
the wide surface of lens upon which they
fell.
:, The artist, again, experienced further
difficulty. The oil paints with which he
coIonstAe image thrown upon the canvas,
arc Opaque necessarily, therefore the labor
saving of the photograph is confined to the
first painting. The canvas onco covered,
the outline is gone forever, and the artist is
compelled to copy from nature or from
photograph, just as though he had never
had the benefit of the Photographic out
line. BESIDES. the action of the chemicals
employed III the paintabc photographs,
was thought to be injurious to tho bright
ness of the coors.
Mr.. Woodward's apparatus entirely OBJ
viates these objections. lie takes an ordi-
nary glass picture, of small size, and throws
it up to any size he pleascs, producing an
image of the most remarkable brilliancy.-
BY using the small picture, he has the adj
vantage of greater clcarness and accuracy
in the origina! picture, and by using small
lens with diaphragm, he gets rid Of all alb
erration, and gets an image perfectly repro
ducing all the details of the original. The
picture, we may state, is introduced into
the instrument, and the image thrown upon
screen or canvas to any desired size.
The artist who has had lis picture trans
ferrcd, or whoever has blank canvas be-
fore him, he can, with this apparatus, work
with confidence which he never before
possessed. AS the instrument can be used
in light room, the image being still beau
tifully clear and distinct, the artist has only
to trace the outlines and put in the shadows
of the original. All the while he is work
ing the image is there upon his canvass,
not in his minds eye, but substantially be,
fore him, mingling its lineaments with
those hc has already painted, resting upon
them, and perpetually making its mute cr-
ticism upon his work. There is no fear of
losing the outline. It cannot be painted
out.
The instrument by which these results is
attained is very simple. 1t is camera to
which the arrangements Of the solar micro
scope and magic lantern have been appen-
dcd. II is aI.box with movcable mirror
behind to reflect the rays Of the sun upon
a lens which receives them and throws them
in brilliant disk upon the image, illumina-
ting equally and perfectly every portion of
the field. The mirror is moved by two
screws forming together universal joint,
by.which the mirror can be accurately adap-
ted to the changing directions of the solar
rays. A slide receives the glass picture,
the Image from which passes through an
acromatic Ions and is thrown up, of course,
to any desired size. A diaphragm is usual
]y added for the sake Of insuring greater
brilliancy and precision Of outline. There
is also an arrangement for introducing gas
into the interior, # it is desired to uso the
Instrument at night. By shifting the box
little, itscan be made camera for taking
the picture which it is afterwards to en-
large.
The many applications Of this instrument
will occur to any thoughtful mind. Its EN-.
ployment in printing positive from negative
pictures is n great merit. There is no ne
cessity that the pic:uras copied shall be o.
the same size as the cony. l. may be Ell