Los Angeles herald., 1910-06-19
THE ART AND PAsTlME
OF PHOTOGRAPHY

One of the most delightful branches
of photography is that of portraying
children either in action or in quiet
moments, if such ever occur. To
parents most especially will this COM
mend itself. AS a reward of patient
work what can compare with home
picture of little Angelina or Master
Percival in unconscious happiness in
their own haunts? No studio made
picture can ever possess the same
charm of ingenuousness or simplicity.
Nowadays, with the modern perfection
of small cameras, even a tyro may
secure photographs of children easily If
willing to be patient and observant.
The first necessity of course is the
child or children; next a compact, easily
manipulated camera not larger than
4x5 size. This should be fitted with the
best fender or sighting lens possible
or be one of the newer rejecting
variety in which the actual picture, full
size, can be viewed up to the moment of
esposing, and this type is the very best
possible outside of an absolutely fixed
focus camera when fitted with good
lens. If one is fortunate enough to have
a good expanse of open lawn a splendid
arrangement can be made by stretching
a sheet or thin white awning horizon
tally about eight feet from the ground.
This can be contrived easily if little
thought is used. This acts as diffuser
of the strong sunlight and does away
with harsh shadows, beside making it
possible for young children to be out
of doors without affecting their eyes
detrimentally. Beneath this can be
thrown mating or unpatterned rugs
for the youngsters to sit or lay upon
safely.
Very rapid exposures can be made
under such screen as the shadows are
greatly diminished so that movements
may be caught that often adds much
to the pictorial effect. Always avoid
conspicuous objects in the background.
These only mar the picture, and to
avoid such a plain background can be
arranged with a cloth of light color.
A gray blanket hangs well and at
distance is very effective. If the fore
going involves too much trouble IN
preparation try to find a good open
ground space that at some time of the
day is sheltered from the direct rays OF
the sun by a wall or house. This Will
answer fairly we'll, though perhaps the
light will be rather slower.
Let the youngsters become accus-
toned to playing in either place and
when you wish to photograph them
they will not look like little images
stuck there to be photographed. Either
plates or films can be used for this
work. but if the greatest rapidity IS de-
sired some plates are very much more
rapid than films and should therefore be
used. Very creditable and pleasing re-
suits have been seen that were made
with an inexpensive little box kodak,
but as the lenses and shutters on these
are slow one is limited almost to TAX
ing still objects when at short range.
double lens and rapid shutter is
much better and the anastigmat lenses
are best of all being four times more
rapid than the ordinary rectilinear lens.
A collection of photographs made week
by week from the earliest possible date
after the stork's visit will in few
years become a treasure of such value
that | believe no mother would part
with it for a million dollars.
If you have not begun one take time
by the forelock and begin it now.
FREDERIC w. NORMAN.