New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-18
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
THE PHOTOGRAPHIC ART.

PRACTICAL POCKET BOOK OF PHOTOGRAPHIC
BY DR.. Z. Vogel; translated by II. T. . o,iIa A.
c. s. Illustrated. 12mo PIP 2o-' ""o""''''
The nnumerable multitude of amateur pho'o''
pliers consists OF two general classes, the propo
sizes OF which it is perhaps not )udcions 10
upon There those who buy outht ana s"pp"o
ready made and use them according 90 the printed
dIrections and no further seck' their merits "
disclose" This method Of work has the obvious az
yantagcs of simplicity and and chieies' oi "'
the placing OF all responsibility upon the tooS u ~
maker. Its disadvantages are principaiN WV =
gives a painfully poor average OF results WIFI" !"
not OF prime importance; and IL teaches Tue op'i''o'
nothing which is possibly. in his view, more OF an ao
vantage disadvantage. III" other 'fss 'oi9'S VI
those who want TO know you know" how camera and
chemicals work. and why who study the opcs ana 'ne
chemistry Of photography ana VINO use 'he ready
made Instructions only as suggestive s'"r''nepo
from which to set forth studies and researches
and achievements OF their own. The result Is, an
sveroge Of excellent results, often rivarg the best
1rork Of professional artists In surprising
It.
Now, the volumlnous literature OF the art Is nat
uray Intended chiefly for this second class and for
professionals. The frstnamed class has little use foi
books save for thin pamphlet Of directions Tor
use" Yet some of its members might be converted
TO the better ways Of the class, II only
they were persuaded. tempted by the plea OF con-
yenience, 10 look into some suitable book. Such q
book should be small. simple. practical, and yet
accurate and comprehensive, 50 as to serve both ms
q lure to the mechanical buttOn-presse while he is
wandering In the Wilderness Of Sin. and also as
guide philosopher and friend when he has crossed over
into the Promised Land OF intelligent effort. 1T should
also be so thorough to be worthy and useful
companion TO him when he is In the full fellowship
Of class second and is seeking to master every optical
mechanical, chemical and other detail OF the work
before him.
Such treatises are not conspicuousy numerous.
But the little volume which lies before us appears TO
answer fully TO the description we have given. Its
author Is one Of tho most accomplished masters OF
the Photographic art In Germany, and the translator
has done his work with equal literary and scientific
skill Although the hook may readily be carried in
small pocket 1t is encyclopaedia In scope treating,
both theoretically and practically of the principles
Of Photographic optics Of lenses. cameras and their
accessories: Of the dark room and It's processes: Of
plates and films and papers of chemicals and form
and literally Of everything pertaining to phoog-
raphy from the choice of the scene TO the placing
Of the finished picture in the album. Its directions
ere simple enough be followed 10y those who do rot
know and do not seek TO know the secrets of the art
and its contents complete and scientific enough
TO be OF great and constant value TO the most expert
Is handsomely printed and well Illustrated II Will be
seen that the book falls little short Of being ideal
handbook Of the Photographic art