Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1881-08-31

UOn, ana III llllS country Wy hOShNOO",
has resulted in many changes in the
mode of taking ordinary photographs,
and has enlarged the field of photo
graphy by bringing within it the work
of picturing objects in motion.
The history Of the instantaneous pro
cess of photography is, like that of
other inventions, full Of failures. The
gelatine used instead of collodion as Il
medium for chemicals employed III
making negatives is a delicate sub
stance, the manipulation of which
needs great experience and Judgment (;
its proper preparation is so tedious that
it is not probable that photographers
will attempt to prepare their own
plates as at present, but will buy them
ready prepared, in large quantities, the
plate being dry and practically unal-
terable. The gelatine is first boiled
for many hours, then mixed with the
necessary salts Of silver and potassium,
then passed through sieve-like cloths,
washed in water to extract the excess
of chemicals, boiled again for a day
and then spread on the glass plates.
Even the minutest care in proportions
and treatment results in plates Of diff
ferent quality. Some plates are too
sensitive and become black, even after
an exposure Of a fraction of a second
others do not give clear pictures. So
rapid Is the effect of light that the mo-
ton Of the hand has been found to
be too slow, and the pneumatic tube
devic has been introduced by which
the slight pressure of n rubber bulb
throws mp a disk which covers the aper-
turc of the camera and brings it down
again. In Mr.. Rockwood's studio Il
long tube goes from the camera to any
part OF the room, the bulb which ends
it being carried in the operators hand.
When he sees a good expression OF pos
ition on the part Of the sitter he
soueezes the bulb, no matter in what
part Of the room he may be, and the
picture Is taken. But even this pneu-
matte disk is not rapid enough for
pictures taken out of doors. For this
purpose q wooden slide is used with II
round hole in it. As the slide falls,
the opening passes the camera aperture
and gives q view Of the scene, which
lasts for about the hundred part of a
second. In pictures taken at the bat
terry by this process Of gelatine coating
and slide, the finest ropes on ships and
steamboats, going at full speed, are as
distinct as if the boats had been AT
rest, and each wave is distinctly pictured
a. it was at that fraction of second.
For artists the instantaneous process
offers the most valuable kind of aid
No matter how animated scene, il
can be photographed as easily as q
tableau. \ ball room, with dancing
going on, the musicians fddling, people
talking, laughing and yawning, can
now be photographed with ease
Rogers, the sculptor, has used the pro
cess to take pictures of athletes strug
Cling. The men struggle without any
thought of the camera, and when they
get through there are half dozen pic
lures Of the men in positions which
struck Rogers rs effective. All he hat
to do was to squeeze his rubber bull
and the thing was done. Horses trot
ting and cows grazing are easily taken
One picture, taken recently, represent
five pigs feeding, one old fellow scratch
ing his back as he gazes stolidly at tn,
camera. 4 cat and her kittens make
a pretty group.
In taking childen and very old per
sons the advantages Of this process ar
invaluable. The child is allowed t.
look about until it takes a good posi-
ton when the picture is made. OIL
people, who dislike the ordeal Of sitting
are photographed before they know il
all such things as head rests and prop
being done away with, Pictures 9
persons laughing are full of life, an
it may be said Of all the pictures take
: by the instantaneous process that tn
, stiff. unnatural expression, almost III
avoidable when person is obliged
sit with head propped up, staring at
: camera, for half minute, is dor
away with. In the opinion of man
persons it will not be long before PHI
! tographers' head rests will be sold Il
= old iron. N. Y. Post