Evening star., 1950-01-15

From time to time we receive
queries from our readers. Over
a period of months these questions
cover the subject Of photography
from monochrome to color and
from stills to motion pictures. To-
day we are presenting questions
that are asked most often, togeth-
er with answers in the hope that
the net result will be helpful to
those who are starting out on the
road to successful amateur pho
Biography.
@. Who invented photography
and when?
A. Although it would be more
accurate to say that the photo
graphic process evolved over a
period of many years through the
research and contributions Of
many persons, it is generally con-
ceded that the first successful
application of Photographic re-
cording came in the year 1889 as
a result of the collaboration Of
two Frenchmen, L. j. M. Daguerre
and Nicephore Niepce. The first
photograph, the daguerreotype,
was made on a silver sensitized
sheet of copper. England also lays
claim to the discovery Of photog-
,raphy by virtue of the calotype
process Of Fox Talbot, also an
nounced In 1889. The calotype
was paper negative and closer
to present-day photography than
the daguerreotype.
Q. Can I take action shots with
a box camera?
A. Yes. Line up the subject
in the view finder of the camera.
Then, while swinging the camera
smoothly so as to keep the subject
always centered in the finder,
make the exposure while both
subject and camera are in motion.
The result will be a fairly good
action picture of the subject, but
the background will be blurred.
@. What is the best tempera-
ture for developing films and
prints?
A. Generally speaking, 68 de-
grees F. is the recommended tenn
perature for developing films and
prints. Any wide variation from
this will result in a loss of quality.
To be on the safe side always check
the specifications of the developer
you are using and use the tenn
perature called for.
To Get Darker Skies.
Q. How can get dark blue sky
effects with color film?
A. By using Pola-screen. The
Pola- screen controls only the po-
lariZed light from the sky and that
reflected at certain angles from
various surfaces; therefore 1t will
darken the sky tone in a. color
shot without affecting any OF the
other colors of the scene.
@. Can anything be done to
reduce the grain in a grainy mega
tive?
A. No. Once the filn has been
nothing can be done
since grain size is fixed by develop
ment. The effect Of grain can be
minimized, however. by making
contact prints or small enlarge
ments and by making the prints on
a rough-surface paper.
Q. How can I obtain a high
glossy finish on my prints?
A. This is accomplished by
printing on glossy paper and dry
ing the prints on a ferrotype tin.
While the print Is still wet, place
it face down on the tin and get rid
Of excess water with a roller or
squeegee. When the print is dry
it will come off the tin with
high gloss finish.
@. I like the effect of brown
and green prints that I have seen.
How is this effect accomplished?
A. Through the use of brown or
green toning solutions. Formulas
for these may be found in data
books, or you can buy ready-made
toning solutions from your photo
dealer.
@. What is meant by depth OF
field?
A. The term depth of field" is
used to describe the range Of