Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-30

in vertical line. but there are other
lights whieh approach In other and vary
ing angles. The water especially is a
grea: reflector and mirrors on its surface
various reflected objects The reflected
ray, come from distant objects such as
the clouds or the sky. SO that when the
camera is focused on the object under
the water which is a near subject a
be formed not on the plate. but between
the plate, and the lens. so that the plate
is flooded with light that has no distinct
form. Consequently when the plate is
developed the image of the real subject
will be SO obscured by the greater inten-
sity of the reflected objects that there
will only be seen a dark haze which rep
resents the surface of the water.
Pictures which are partially successful
have been made when the photographer
has been in the sharp shadow OF bridge
or something of a similar nature. This
led to the discovery that photography un-
der water could only be accomplished by
one of two methods: either by screening
lowed on it or by taking the pictures en-
tirely under water.
Obtaining the Best Results.
Dr. Reishard has adapted a screen by
which he has obtained some very ex-
cellent pictures. with his camera. out Of
water. OF course the screen method is
only applicable to streams that run less
than two or three feet deep and even
in five or six inches. Any type Of cam
era may be used. but it is great deal
better II II is one that has an adjustable
focus and. as the subjects are usually IN
motion. one whose speed Is not less than
one hundredth of q second.
When the suitable place is reached,
the camera is set up on a tripod so that
1t may be swung downward at any
angle. When the operator has placed
his camera and roughly adjusted It. he
light rejected from the surface Of the
water into the camera. Any piece of
dark fabric. a blanket. shawl. or for
small objects even coat may be used
1t may be supported by hand or tied to
poles stuck In the bottom. DR.. Reighard
carries into the field a screen made by
sewing together pieces of black calico
to form a sheet either 6 or 9 feet square.
To three of the edges OF this at inter
walls Of about foot. are sewn pieces OF
at its middle 90 as to leave 6 inches
projecting on each side. One piece of
tape should be attached to each corner
Of the screen. Two poles are cut OF Of
s si length LEM to project s g to 10 10
the bottom. The poles are sharpened at
one end. and beginning at the upsharp-
ened end the square OF calico IL tied
to them by the opposite edges by means
Of the tapes. The third side to which
tapes. are attached Is the upper. between
the unsharpened ends Of the poles. The
poles are now thrust into tho bottom on
that side Of the camera opposite the
object to be photographed and SO that
they slant toward the camera The
screen Is thus stretched upward from
the surface Of the water in q slanting
position. so that its upper edge Is nearer
the camera than its lower. II the two
poles are pulled together by the weight
of the cloth or the action of the wind so
that the screen says. a third pole tied
between their upper ends will keep them
apart. while the tapes on the upper edge
of the screen will serve to attach 1t to
the cross-pole.
The shadow Of the screen will fall SO
as to obscure any slanting rays or re-
Elections, but will not interfere with the
direct lighting Of the subject and will
therefore allow Of a perfect negative. It
may show. besides the object under water.
the screen itself, but that is usually SO
faint that it does not interfere with the