The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-11-10
Waterburian Reviews
 Medical Pm ography
Ralph P. Greer of U. s. Staff at Eines Ill., Author of
 Articles in National Magazines on Illustration Work

articles issued from institutions in which members of the Biological Photographic association are em. plovcd were illustrated by photos graphs of a decidely better qual. ity and invariably fe4l into the good or excellent class.
 Editors Queried
 A letter of Inquiry was sent to the editors of journals that were reviewed regarding their policy for the acceptance of photogra- phic material for publication.
 Each reply states that a high standard is maintained and that poor prints are often returned or the negatives requested so that better prints may be made. Con- sidering the efforts on the part of the editors to publish only pho- tographs of better quality, 1t is ra- ther discouraging to note that only AZ per cent are only good or ex" cellent. fully appreciate the fact that no definite conclusion can be drawn from a study of one years subscription. Never-the- less 1t affords a fairly good idea of the type of photographs that ap. pear in the medical journal.
 Why are the illustrations of a low standard? First, too many physicians who have little or no knowledge of the principals of photograhpy are attempting to illustrate their own cases. am fully aware of the fact that a great deal of very fine photogra- phic work is being done by various members of the medical profess ion. However, these men are by far in the minority.
 Should Study Work
 If medical men want to do this sort of work, they should take the time to learn to do 1t properly. Good medical photography is not a snap, snap proposition. It re- quires more than a clinical camera outfit. A broad knowledge Of apply this information to biologic subjects is most essential. So far as helping to overcome this cor- dition, I would suggest that when- ever possible members of the Bi- ological Photographic Associa- ton offer courses of instruction to groups of medical men who are especially interested in this work. Such opportunities present them- selves particularly in medical schools and large hospitals.
 During my last two or three years in the photographic depart ment of Yale Medical school, courses in clinical photography were given to the interns in path ology each winter and they proved highly successful. Similar courses have been carried on at the Vet- erans' Administration Facility Hines, Ill.
 The average physician should be more critical regarding the photographs that are to illustrate an article into which he has put long hours of exacting work.
 Special Training Needed
 Another reason for the poor quality of the pictures that are seen in medical journals is the fact that in many institutions it is assumed that because the x-ray technician deals with light, films and developer he naturally has ali the qualifications of an expert clinical photographer. We have in the Biological Photographic as- sociation men who are skilled ex- perts in both x-ray work and bio. logic photography. However, this is an exception rather than the rule.
 As far as I know, Carl D. Clarke of the University of Mary land was the first to mention the possibility of a school in which one could receive special train- ing in. biologic photography. If such an idea could be worked out satisfactorily, there is no doubt that it would be a great step for. ward, and as a result, the photo- graphic illustrations would be con- siderably improved.
 Ralph P. Greer, Veterans Ad. ministration Facility, Hines, III.
 Senior Clinical Photographers; President. Biological Photogra- phic Association.