The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-10-10
THE CHILDREN'S
CAMERA
By PHIL. N. RILEY

~ HE difficulties and intricacies of /
photography which had to be |
commended with ten or even five |
years ago no longer exist. Sim
plifcation Of every step has made 1t |
an exact science, and, while still
amenable to infinite control and varia-
ton, good pictures may also be made
mechanically, and to do so requires
no intimate knowledge of photography.
Dark rooms, glass dry plates, clumsy
cameras and focusing cloths are not
required as in the past. A neat little
camera, one or two pieces Of simple
apparatus and an instruction book
containing few rules so clearly ex-
pressed that the merest child can I'M
derstand them, render the successful
practice Of photography an easy mat
ter. Any bright boy or girl soon
grasps the elementary rules and learns
that when they are not adhered to
failure results. This in itself furnishes
an invaluable training for thorough
ness and observance of directions.
Not only the use of the camera, but
also the finishing Of the pictures, may
be done by the veriest beginner. The
film developing tank, as simple as the
camera itself, takes care OF this mat
ter mechanically with very little at
tention. Accompanying it is no array
of apothecaries' scales, packages Of
many different salts or bottles Of solu-
4 TNxraa@r J. tv,-r - k1G
in powders of the proper size, to be
added to the right quantity of water,
and after use the solutions are thrown
away. The whole operation is so clean
that it may be performed anywhere,
and so simple that anybody can do 1t
without difficulty.
An expensive camera for a child is
unnecessary. and unwise. There are
| instruments intended for this very pur-
pose which answer admirably, and
later, when more intimate knowledge
of photography has been gained, bet
/ ter one can be procured. A service
able camera costs no more than a first
class air rife, and the developing tank
about as much more, while finished
negatives, including all necessary ma
terials, do not exceed four cents each,
and prints from them can be made for
less than two cents each. Many people
think that there is a considerable ex-
pense for wasted materials, and it GER
| tatnly used to be so, but the recent
simplifcation Of the process makes it
unlikely. 1t is now known that If
certain things are done, good pictures
will result; this is all the child needs
to know at first, and If he follows in
structions strictly the amount of vast
ed materials will be very small
| The strongest argument l can offer
in favor of the camera for children
is that it cultivates close observation
and investigation to high degree. A
child armed with camera will be con-
stantly on the lookout for material
and will discover things which other
wise would not attract his notice.
Moreover, he should be encouraged to
photograph every object which he does
not understand or which is not IA
miliar to him. Then when the pictures
are developed they can be explained to
him in interesting little talks
Outdoor objects, with occasional snap
shots Of his playmates, parents and
scenes which please his fancy, are the
sort of pictures the child will make at
first; but his instruction in drawing
and sketching at school will soon be-
gin to influence his work, and each
will assist the other. He will begin
to realize the meaning Of lines, the
value Of light and shade and to search
for and photograph the forms Of com
position which he has learned about.
as we'll as to make the objects in his
pictures conform to some definite ar
rangement. This signifies a growth of
artistic temperament and appreciation
for the beautiful in nature which is
one Of the most important results OF
the use Of the camera.