The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-09
NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY.
A Cheap and Simple Device for Taking
Pictures Without Daylight.


New YoRK, Jan. S.--Although the cleo
trio light has been used constantly for the
last ten years for Photographic purposes in
studios, and upon special occasions Tor
making pictures of notable scenes in
theaters and public buildings, its expense
has made impossible the common use OF
the light. The cost Of providing electric
light sufficient for making photograph in
the evening at New York house, even
though the electric wires may run along
the street outside, is not far from $40.
Years ago, before the introduction of the
instantaneous process, magnesium, IN the
shape OF long strip, was burned for the
purpose of taking photographs at night;
but the light was unsteady, owing TO IN
complete combustion, and the time ncccs-
eary for the exposure was tediously long
Within the last few months DR.. IL. q.
Piffard, leading member OF the New
York Society Of Amateur Photographers,
and Mr.. q. lockwood have succeeded IN
making night photographs superior To
those obtained by the electric light, and ut
an expense for light scarcely worth men.
tioning. DIR. Piflard's idea was that II
the requisite quantity of magnesium could
be burned at once, giving an intense Hash
Of light, II would be sufficient, In connoc-
ton with the instantaneous plates, TO take
n good picture. The trouble met with in
the comparatively slow combustion Of mag
ncsium was overcome by mixing the mag.
nesiun with gun cotton, in the proportion
Of one part Of powdered magnesium TO two
parts oi gun cotton; the flash Of the gun
l.na nttr AL
magnesium, and 10 little IL needed for
making the photograph OF person or n
group that the cost OF each charge IN but "a
few cents. The process, so far US photog-
raphy goes, is identical with daylight, and
the Invention may have n wide use In the
photography Of al sorts Of night scenes or
interiors, which are provcrbially difficult
10 make, owing 10 the insufficient light
which comes in by ordinary windows.
In order 10 focus properly an interior
group, lamp IL placed at the point where
the magnesium will be lighted, and the
camera is adjusted 20 include the picture
as lighted up by the lamp. When the
lamp u withdrawn the magnesium Is sub
stitutd and the picture is taken No quick
~ that the persons in u do not have timo
10 vince under the sudden flash OF bril-
liant light. For making pictures OF scenes
In the thcater II offers cheap and easy
method Of doing what has been heretofore
very expensive work, and II In even posi-
BILE that the new light may be used In
ordinary studios In the day time when
their " not light enough for good work.
DR.. pifIard believes that when every
policeman IL provided with detectives
pocket camera, magnesium light will en-
able him 10 take portraits Of criminals be.
fore they know II, and 10 make accurate
pictures of interiors which may be Of cx'
ircmo value M evidence In court. Al
present, 10 make poor photograph Of an
ordinary room Is work Of houn, even
with the instantaneous plate. Any
chemist can provide amateurs with the
combination Of gun cotton and magnesium
put up In quantities for large or smal
rooms II will probably not be long bc
fore the taking Of groups In the evening y
private houses, family reunions etc, vii
be- part Of every professional photog
raphcr's work.