The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-05-04

B Suppose we make a. start with the
shadows. One is very evident-that on
the sitter's right cheek, and now we
can see another TO the right Of the
nose and under the eyebrow. But a
shadow tells the direction Of the source
of light, for we know light travels
always in a straight line; SO if the
shadow is on the sitters right then
the source of light must be on his left.
But if it were decidedly on the gift the
nose would throw a shadow right
across the cheek, which it does not
do. AS a matter of fact, we see 'but
very narrow band Of shadow cast by
the nose, so we can argue that the
source Of light must have been well
forward-in fact. very close to the
lens
But let US take a shadow lying in
another direction and see what it tells
US. We find one under the right eye
brow: therefore the source of light is
above. But if it were right overhead
the eyebrow would east q shadow COM
pletely over the eye; but it does not,
and ss the band Of shadow is very
narrow the light must come from "
point well fOrward-in fact, very close
to the lens. This is further proved by
the length Of the shadow cast by the
nose on the upper lip, which it will be
noticed is just a little below the nos
tril.
Having located the position Of the
source Of light we may with advantage
give a few minutes consideration to
the high lights and half-tOnes. The
highest lights will be found on the
left temple, the ridge of the nose, up
per lip and chin-the two latter are
not so noticeable here on account Of
the beard. The reader should now be
able to see for himself how these high
lights are connected with the shadows
by means of half-tones.
Now for the practical application of
all this theOriZing- Select window
having g clear view Of the sky-that is,
no over-hanging porch or trees in front
of ft-and cover the lower half with
some Opaque fabric, such as a sofa
blanket pinned to the middle bar. This
is because we learned that the light
came from the top. Then plant YOUR
camera on a table right in front of
the window and just as close as YOU
can get it, having only enough room
for focusing. Now measure along the
wall from one edge Of the window a.
distance Of three feet, then straight
out from that point a distance of five
feet. Place a seat at this point and
you are ready for work.
For your first subject I would advise
q lady, or a gentleman with a clean
shaver face, so that you can see the
modelling readily. Get a pose as close
to the example as possible and then
seat yourself in front of the camera so
that your eye will be in front of the
lens. Of there be anything 1 detest it
is to see a man popping his head under
the focusing cloth all the time, for it
clearly shows he does not know what
he wants. A camera is only a tool and
not until the pose and lighting are ar
ranged should the ground glass be
looked att Now look for the shadows
I described. If the nose casts one too
broad on the cheek turn the face a
trif1e nearer the window; if too narrow.
then a little farther away. Now look
at the eyes. Do you see the beautiful
sparkling catch lights, if so where are
they? The proper position is just on
the edge of the eyelids, if they are
lower the head is tilted too high or the
sitter is too far from the light. If not
visible the head IS too low or the sitter
too near the light. Last of all look ait
the shadow cast by the nose on the
lip. 1t should not reach below the
middle. If cut off square with the
nostril there is too much bottom light
so raise the curtain a little higher on
the window; or it may be the head is
flung back, in which case lower it.
Last Of all examine the bridge of the
nose. for here is the proof of your
problem. The bridge is a mass of half
tone, and this should blend beautifullx
into the shadow beyond. If it show with
a sharp line against the shadow the
position of the sitter is not correct and
a movement OF a few inches is neces-
Sary I am sorry / cannot tell vo1,
exactly in what direction, so you must
| find out by trial. It is in this last lit
/ tie point that the hand of the master
/ is shown. and it takes a long time tc
/ become a master.
Now look at the ground glass, focus
and expose.
About backgrounds. This question
bothered me for ten years. and now
can tell all I know on the subject in Z