El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-03-04

Schemes of Travelling Pic
ture Makers Practiced in
El Paso.
THE sNAPsHOTING
OF CHILDREN PAYS
(By Ralph Z. HerronN


phic accessories. and the introduction
Of numerous conveniences designed to
rerder the manipulation of photogra-
phic processes possible outside of the
studio and simple TO the comparatively
inexpert. have widened to a consider
able extent the opportunities of those
who would make comfortable living
from this interesting pursuit Fifty
years ago every photographer was
obliged to sensitize his own plates and
printing paper, compound his own So
lutions, and design much Of his own
apparatus. Today the perfection of
everything necessary for Photographic
manipulation is so complete as to cause
one to almost ask If any decided ad-
vance is possible. The crude methods
which chained the slayer of, paint
ing" as the photographer waS fanci-
fully termed by unthinking writers, to
his studio have given way to improve
ments which allow money making in
many lines of work
The Race Track Photographic.
An FL Paso firm of commercial pho
tographers besides doing a wide range
of outside work in the city. keeps a
man at the Juarez race track every
day to take pictures Of horses. jockeys,
stables and racing scenes in demand
by followers of the turf Both large
sizes and postal card views are sold
humorous feature, rather annoying
to the photographers. is the large num-
Der of proofs refused. for many who
are perfectly able and willing to pay
when the picture is taken have moth
ing to pay with when the proof is
brought around.
Another department of work. which
includes a large number of camera
men. Is known as speaking in the
parlance CT the fraternity. The "speck"
man travels about the country making
the smaller towns andfthe country dis
tricts. soliciting work of a general ma
ture. There are three classes Of "speck-
ers." There is the man who carries a
small camera and merely solicits post
card work, charging $3.50 a dozen;
then there is the man who carries a
large camera and who does both view
and postal card work: while the pho
tcgrapher OF the third class makes &
specially OF views Of interiors OF Of
fices and stores.
Schemes Many and Clever.
The schemes and wiles Of these trav-
elers TO drum up trade are numerous
and interesting. One of them. faceti- f!
ously termed kidnapping" is carried /
out in the following manner: The !
s'kidnaper" goes along a residence /
street, watching with an experienced /
eye for the happy combination Of a i
well dressed child playing in front of /!
a prosperous looking residence. When |
one is located the "kidpaper" makes an .
exposure and hastens on to hunt for .
others In a. day or two he returns (
with the proof to the parents and of i
course very often succeeds in taking an I
order for a number. The photographer +
who does larger work very often sss .
partner known as a "caller-out" Il is {
his duty TO solicit work fof thu cam
era man. One favorite trick Of the
ealler-out is to represent that the work
IS being done for ma gazine or news
paper and to ask that people "get in
the picture anyhow. it won't cost any
thing" In a few days the caller-out
returns with the proof. saying that he
Ices not want to disappoint the people
# they happen to want a copy. If
he solicitor is clever and indifferent
enough he. IS very likely to land an
order.
The View Man. il
The cameras carried by the view
nen are interesting on account Of the
ingenious appliances utilized to save
lime and money. Professionals are
partial to the dry plate on account of
economy. for not only are they cheaper
han films but each plate may be used
or more than one exposure. How this
s accomplished is as follows The
ameras used by view men are large
Usually taking a SKI or SILKS IL
late. A black card half the size OF
he plate and called a "duplicator" is
rranged in the back of the camera so
8 to cut off one half the plate BY
urning the back on its axis the card
nay be shifted so as to cut off either
he top or bottom as we'll as the sides
having focused on the ground glass
With the card in the proper position,
he plate is introduced and the
osure made The plate is then taken
ut. the card shifted. another view
ocused, and the plate again introduced
or the second exposure. By interpos-
lg two cards at right angles four ex-
csureS may be made on one plate, and
Y the proper arrangement of cards
5 many as 16 exposures have been
lade on one plate.
Garry Complete Outfits.
These men carry complete developing
nd printing outfits and utilize their
O0ms at night for dark rooms. The
who make a speciality
interiors also carry a blow lamp"
continuance for forcing a stream of
Owdered magnesium oxide through
anne Of wood alcohol making a bril-
ant light for the time required. This
entirely different from the instan- !
lneOuS powder composed OF magneS-
I'm oxide and potassium chlorate and
=ed or flash light pictures of groups I
people. To make the picture sharp
very small stop" (aperture) is used: 7
ence a longer time is required for ex- q
1sure, it may be or minutes. For J
terror work wide angle lens is q
scessary. J
Button Pictures.
Some men make a speciality of pho y
graphs on buttons, cuff buttons I
'ooches and stick pins. A number of s
ctures are taken on one plate as [
.scribed before and small prints OF the
quired size are made from the mega
We. These are placed in the frame t
Eth a cover of transparent ce1luloid L
the photographer is an artist he can n
Id to the value of the ornament by p
loring with water colors. y
Another line of work recently open p
up is the printing Of pictures on | '
nsitized pillow covers and other P
brics. Here the operator sensitizes |
e material himself with solutions i
hich he purchases; and prints from