Los Angeles herald., 1908-03-08
copyrIght b. James EIversou.

ed
As a general thing, amateur work can be
recognized by haziness, q lack OF detail, IN
perfect toning and careless mounting; loo
often amateurs are contented with such poor
results, and seem to think it is quite out OF
the question for them to produce any work
equal to that of professionals.
This is great mistake. There is nothing
in this art which cannot be mastered by any
one who is willing to bestow patient work
and painstaking effort upon their pictures
The first thing is to get the materials, and
it is better to select them with the advice
a friend who knows something about the
matter than to get regular outfit.
A good lens is necessity, and it is econ
omy to get one, even though it may cost
little more, for if your picture is not clear
and sharp, amount of care in the rest of
the work will make up for it.
For views, the single lens is very good
one for the beginner, as it is fairly rapid and
has wide angle. If, however, the amateur
should wish to attempt portraits or lnstantan
eous work. he will have to buy a rapid lens
The needful essentials in an amateurs out
fit are the camera and lens, including plate
holders and printing frame, tripod-or the
legs upon which the camera rest-a. focusing
cloth, box of sensitive plates and dark
lamp. A broad, soft camels hair brush should
also be included.
The lens is at one end of the camera, and at
the other end is what is termed the ground
glass" upon which the focusing is done. Al.
ter clear, sharply outlined representation OF
the image to be photographed has been made
upon the ground glass, the plate-holder is put
in the place of the ground glass, and the sensi-
tive plate is exposed. .
A dark room in which to work IS lndispeh-
sable. Very few amateurs have the luxury
of dark room constructed especlany LOT
them, so it is necessary to find closet thae
will answer the purpose.
A bathroom. IL it can be spared for the
amateurs use, is a most satisfactory PiacS,
as it is large enough to be well ventilated,
and is supplied with the convenience OF run
ming water. II.
Be careful to exclude every ray OF light.
A heavy hanging should be put up at the
window. and the keyhole should be stopped
up, as a single ray of light may work a great
deal of harm. There is no greater enemy TO
photography than light at the wrong time.
We will suppose that you have darkened
your room, and are ready to fill your plate
holders, so that you can take your mist PIC
ture Be sure to lock the door before YOU
open your box of plates, lest some one snoui 9
come in lust to see what you are ooine'
and ruin them all. .,
The rubv-lamp is a small lantern with red
glass sides, and shutter in front, wnich can
be drawn down when you wish am hgnt-
Before you exclude the light, place your box
of plates your plate-holders-two of which
accompany each camera-and your soft brush
on a table or broad shelf, where they will be
readily accessible.
1t Will take nLtle Time 70 accuseoh you.
self to the dim red light, but by degrees you
will become so used to it that you VIII be
able to work as well as by the bright day
light. L.
carefully so that no dust can get upon Your
mates. Opening your box of plates, you VIII
find that they are carefully packed, with mar.
row rims of paper between the films, so that
they will not get scratched by contact with
each other. :,
II viii not be at all hard to distinguish
which is the film side. If you hold the piat;s;
in the red light from the ruby lamp you VIII
see that while one side of the plate Is glossy
and smooth the other is dull and coated with
a waxen substance. -
This is the sensitive film which is to be ex-
posed The plate should be carefully busted
with the soft brush to remove any particles
of dust that may be upon it, for if this IS not
done there will be little specks on the mega
tive. and black spots on the PRINT.
The plate-holder will hold two plates. and
Won must be careful that you turn the film
side Of both plates outward, for if the other
side Of the plate is exposed, the image will
be indistinct and out of focus.
When the plateholders are full, be sure to
close your box of plates before yon, open the
door, or the outside light will spoil them.
The next proceeding is to select your view.
Don't attempt portrait, though it VIII be
great temptation to do SO.
It is one of the hardest things in the range
of photography, and without a good portrait
lens and the advantages of skylight it is al
most impossible. to succeed; 1t will be best
for your first attempt, at all events, to choose
some bit Of landscape.
The tripod must be adjusted till it is per
fectly level, and the camera screwed in place.
You are now ready to focus. Remove the
cap from the lens, and drawing the focus
inP-eloth over your head, look for the image
in the ground glass.
At first you will not be able to find it, and
presently you will discover that you have
been putting your face too close to the cam
Bv withdrawing for some little distance you
will be able to see an inverted image of the
n;cture you wish to take. AT first this I'M
natural position may so confuse you that you
will find it hard to focus.
After a little observation you will see that