Evening star., 1950-07-23
~ Alexander J. Wedderburl
cvrotor Of Photography
The Smithsonian Lnstitution

The Smithsonian Institution
In other parts of the world peo-
pie are beset by such unlikely
things as the monsoon, the tidal
wave, the mistral, the volcanic
eruption, etc. Here though, just
like clockwork, as soon as sum-
mer comes humidity and inertia
descend on us like an unwelcome
cloud and we begin to think about
vacations. Since the camera will
very likely play an important part
In your vacation, let's talk about
that for while.
Most photographers, whether
amateurs or those who make
living with Mr.. Daguerre's inven-
ton, are a bit too enthusiastic
wnen it comes time to pack up for
a trip away from home. They
just throw in the whole works,
sometimes including the darkroom.
Now. while preparedness is a fine
thing. 1t can be carried too far and
we suggest, therefore, that you
consider carefully what you will
need and what you actually will
be able to use in the way of photo
graphic equipment. Otherwise
your trip make take on the aspects
Of an expedition rather than a
pleasure jaunt.
First, we advise that you leave
your darkroom equipment at
home. To begin with the hotel
won't look kindly on your efforts
to turn your room into a field lab
oratory. Neither will the rest of
the family. They won't appreci-
ate standing outside in the hall
for half an hour while you develop
a set Of films in the total darkness
OF the living room. So take our
advice and let's not carry the
thing too far.
There are also more practical
reasons (from a Photographic
standpoint at least) why darkroom
activities should be suspended un-
O14 yOu 1cGuT11.
There are many vacation spots
where the water is fine to drink
but will be deadly to your films.
This uncertainty about available
water should be enough to make
any cameraman wait until he gets
home to take care Of his proc
essing. So if you are of the i'm
patient type, take your film to
the local photographer but don't
try to do the work yourself.
A Check List Helps.
Now for the things to take on
that trip. A check list will help
things along. If you wait until
the last minute to Scurry around
looking for your camera equip
ment the chances are you will
wind up with an important gadget
missing when you need it. So
make up list Of the things you
will need and keep it handy, to-
gether with the equipment, so it
will be available for a last min
ute check just before you are
ready to start. Most camera fans
like to be ready to stop anywhere
tney run across a scene worthy of
recording so it's a good idea to
keep the camera ready for instant
use anywhere along the line.
The camera itself should. of
course, be number one on your
list. And it should be in tip-top
condition. If you have any
doubts take it to a repair shop
and have it checked. In any
event you should give your camera
thorough going over as far as
you are capable of doing. For
example. test it In the darkroom
Tor bellows leaks. Then inspect
the lens and make sure that the
elements are securely in place and
that moisture or fungus are not
present. Dust should be removed
from the lens as we'll as the rest
OF the camera. AS final insur-
ance, run a roll of film through
the camera as test strip and de-
velop 1t to see that all is well.
Rely on Your Regular Film.
II the camera is in good shape,
your greatest cause for concern
Will be taken care of. But don't
neglect the other items of equip
ment that help you make good
pictures. Next in Importance will
be the film that you take along.
Certainly this will be no time for
experimentation. You will want
to be sure Of a record of your
vacation and one sure way to mess
things up is to try out a new or
different brand of film-especial-
ly II 1t is Of a different speed than
that you are accustomed to using.
Then take along an ample supply
OF your regular film because you
can't be positive that you will be
able to get just what you want in
strange town. This is particu-
larly true Of small rural COM
munities and foreign countries.
Find room in your car or trunk
for your tripod. There will be
WINDY days and dark days and
just ordinary days when you will
need the tripod. Any shot calling
for an extra-long exposure such
as sunsets and sunrises will almost
demand the use of a tripod. If
you are a salon competitor it goes
without saying that a tripod will
be essential to your work. If you