Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-03-08


ed.
As a general thing. amateur work can be
recognized by haziness. lack OF detail I'M
perfect tonIng and careless mounting: Too
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 a 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
friend who knows something about the
matter than to get regular outfit.
good lens is necessity, and it is econ
omy to get one, even though it may cost a
little more, for if your picture is not clear
and sharp, no 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 instantan-
eous work. he will have to buy rapid lens.
The needfu essentials in 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 a 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 sensl-
tive plate is exposed
A dark room in which to work is indispen-
sable. Very few amateurs have the luxury
Of dark room constructed especiaily LOT
them, so it is necessary to find closet tha1
will answer the purpose.
bathroom, If it can be spared Tor the
amateurs use, is most satisfactory place,
as it is large enough to be well ventliateu'
and is supplied with the convenience oil run
ming water. -,
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 great
deal of harm. There is no greater enemy 10
photography than light at the wrong time.
We will suppose that you have darkeneo
your room, and are ready TO fill your plate
holders, so that you can take your Erse PIC
ture. Be sure to lock the door before you
open your box of plates, lest some one shouid
come in 'just to see what You are DOING
and ruin them all. -,
The ruby-lamp is a small lantern with req
glass sides, and shutter in front, winch can
be drawn down when you wish DIM hght-
Before YOU exclude the light, place your box
of plates, your plate holders-two OF when
accompany each camera-and your soft prusn
on table or broad shelf, where they VIII De
readily accessible.
II will take little time to aecustom your
self TO the dim red light, but by degrees you
will become so used to it that you WIN De
able to work as well as by the bright day
light
First open your plate-holders and dust them
carefully, so that no dust can get upon your
plates. Opening your box of plates, you WIN
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
II viii not be at all hard to distinguish
which is the film side. If you hold the plate
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-
nosed 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 ana
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 plate-holders are full, be sure to
close your box Of plates before you open the
door, or the outside light will spoil them.
The next proceeding is to select your view.
Don't attempt a portrait, though it will be a
great temptation to do SO:
r. 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 viii 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
can from the lens, and drawing the focus
ing-cloth 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
era. ,,,
will be able to see an inverted image of the
natural position may so confuse you that you
viii find it hard to focus.
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